Asia Cup 2025: 'In such a big tournament, I feel he should start’ - Sandeep Sharma backs Sanju Samson to find place in playing XI [Exclusive]

Sanju Samson has played some fine knocks in T20I cricket ever since Gautam Gambhir and Suryakumar Yadav took over as the coach and captain, respectively, in the shortest format of the game for India. In 2024, he became the first cricketer to score three T20I centuries in a calendar year. However, with the return of Shubman Gill for India's Asia Cup squad, it seems that Samson's spot in the playing XI could be uncertain.

Gill has not only been recalled to the Indian T20 lineup for the first time since July 2024, but he has also been appointed as the vice-captain. This almost guarantees him a place in the playing XI. So either Abhishek Sharma or Samson, who have opened together for India in the last few T20I series, will have to make way for Gill. If Samson has to sit out, Jitesh Sharma will bat in the middle-order and keep wickets.

Rajasthan Royals' pacer Sandeep Sharma, during an exclusive interview with CricTracker, batted for Samson to open, highlighting that he has been in brilliant form in the ongoing Kerala Cricket League. Sharma has seen Samson prepare from close quarters, as they have been playing for the Royals since 2023.

I feel personally he should be opening because he has done so well from last three to four series. And you don't want to lose your in-form batter who has been doing really well for you. And at the same time, there is a Kerala Cricket League going on here. He is making very good runs there," Sharma said.

"He is in a very good touch. So I feel he should start, because you don't want to lose out your in-form batter. The one who is in-form in the format and who is consistently playing in the format for you. So in such a big tournament, I feel he should start," he added.

I feel people need to support and back more rather than criticising our own players: Sandeep Sharma

Sharma was asked where he sees Shubman Gill batting during the Asia Cup. The right-arm seamer said that with so many talented batters in the side, the team management will have a headache while selecting the playing XI. He also lambasted the naysayers of the Indian team, pointing out how well the youngsters played during the Test series against England.

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"That is not my job. That is Gautam Gambhir's job. I think you should be asking Gauti paaji about it. That is not my job. And it's a good headache to have when you have so many quality players. And that is what the Indian team does. You have so many quality players. It gives you a headache as to whom to play, whom to select and whom not to select. And you can see those things in the performance of the Indian team," Sharma mentioned.

"Even though we have done such a good Test series there in England, because we have such a good talent and skill. When many of our senior players retired, again all these people were talking that it seems very inexperienced. But all these people have gone and played superb cricket over there. I feel people need to support and back more rather than criticising our own players," he concluded.