Asia Cup 2025: “It might not be the best knock of Sanju Samson” - Ex-India opener’s huge statement ahead of IND vs PAK Super Four clash

Sanju Samson got his first opportunity to bat in the ongoing Asia Cup during the match between India and Oman at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Friday, September 19. The Kerala wicketkeeper was promoted to No. 3 after Suryakumar Yadav won the toss and opted to bat first.

While Samson is known for his aggressive style of batting, he struggled to find his timing through most parts of the innings and eventually finished with 56 runs off 45 balls. India posted 188/8 in their 20 overs before restricting a spirited Oman side to 167/4.

Former India cricketer Kris Srikkanth admitted that Samson wasn't at his best on Friday but lauded him for batting responsibly and anchoring the innings so that the other batters could play their shots from the other end. Srikkanth, who was a member of India's 1983 World Cup-winning squad, said that India could have lost the match had Samson not played that knock.

"I am happy for Sanju Samson. After not getting an opportunity in the last two matches, he batted up the order. It might not be the best knock of Sanju Samson but if you look at the situation when he walked in, he batted responsibly. Yes, his strike rate wasn't deadly and while it wasn't his best, it was a very important knock from the team's point of view. He was involved in three good partnerships with Abhishek, Tilak and Axar, which is why we got to 188," Srikkanth said while speaking on his YouTube channel.

"Without his knock, India may have lost the match, having seen how the rest of the match went. So, in a way, it was a very crucial knock by Sanju. Without it, we may have got only 160 odd. What I liked about his knock was the fact that he took his time to settle down. We needed somebody to stay there in the middle. He did a very sensible thing by holding one end up and enabling the others to go big," he added.

"The only way is dropping Dube, which they won't do" - Srikkanth on Arshdeep Singh's place in the playing XI

Srikkanth said that Arshdeep Singh, who played against Oman after missing out in the first two games of the tournament, could only retain a spot in the playing XI for the Super Four clash against Pakistan if India decide to leave out Shivam Dube. However, the former BCCI chief selector feels that the team management will not keep the Mumbai all-rounder out of the team.

"But who can you drop to get Arshdeep in? The only way is dropping Dube, which they won't do. Though, he didn't bowl against Pakistan. Ofcourse against Pakistan, whoever plays or bowls, we'll win. Even if our producer plays in the side, India will win," Srikkanth said.

India square off against Pakistan at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, September 21, in match No. 2 of the Super-Four stage of the continental competition.