As India gear up for the Asia Cup 2025, the batting order looks more or less set. Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill are the likely openers, with Tilak Varma slotted at No. 3. Captain Suryakumar Yadav is expected to anchor the middle at No. 4, while Hardik Pandya should follow at No. 5.
Sanju Samson’s Uncertain Role
This balance, however, creates a big problem for Sanju Samson. The Kerala batter enjoyed a breakout year in 2024 for Team India, smashing three T20I centuries as an opener. But with Gill and Abhishek set to open the innings, Samson may find himself pushed down to No. 6 or 7, a role he has barely ever played. For India, Samson has batted in the lower-middle order only twice. Even in the IPL, he has thrived almost exclusively as a top-order batter. The challenge for the team management is clear: can they fit Samson into a finishing role that doesn’t come naturally to him?
Jitesh Sharma’s Rise as a Finisher
The alternative is Jitesh Sharma. On the international stage, his stats don’t inspire confidence, just 7 T20I innings with an average of 14. But the story changes when you look at his IPL 2025 season with Royal Challengers Bangalore. Jitesh reinvented himself as one of the most destructive finishers of the tournament, striking at 176 with an average of 37-plus. His unbeaten 85 against Lucknow Super Giants, which carried RCB into Qualifier 1, was one of the standout knocks of the season. That innings alone showcased why Jitesh is seen as a natural finisher, capable of changing games in the death overs.
Samson’s Recent Form
Samson, meanwhile, has continued scoring runs in domestic tournaments like the Kerala Cricket League, but again those runs have mostly come at the top of the order. His adaptability to the lower middle order remains untested.
The Big Selection Call
So what’s the call? India’s management face a genuine selection dilemma. On one hand, Samson brings pedigree, international experience, and consistency at the top. On the other, Jitesh offers specialist finishing skills, the kind India desperately need in high-pressure chases.
Why This Decision Matters
With the Asia Cup approaching, the likely outcome is that Jitesh edges ahead. In modern T20 cricket, a reliable finisher often matters more than an additional opener. But whichever way the selectors go, this decision could shape India’s campaign, and perhaps define who gets a permanent spot in the build-up to the 2026 T20 World Cup.
