'He can bat anywhere' - India coach backs Sanju Samson ahead of 2025 Asia Cup clash against Pakistan

Indian batting coach Sitanshu Kotak has virtually confirmed that wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson will feature in the middle order against Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025. Samson was slotted at No. 5 during India’s tournament opener against the UAE in Dubai.

However, with India chasing a modest target of just 58, Samson did not get the opportunity to bat, with only Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Suryakumar Yadav getting a chance in the middle. Meanwhile, Samson's selection surprised many, as it was widely expected that Jitesh Sharma would be the designated wicketkeeper, especially after Gill’s appointment as vice-captain pushed Samson out of his usual opening role. But instead of Samson, it was Jitesh who was left warming the bench.

With just two days to go before India’s high-voltage clash against Pakistan, Kotak explained the management’s decision to shift Samson down the order. He admitted that while the right-hander has not batted much in the middle order, his quality and adaptability leave little room for doubt.

Kotak stated that the skipper and head coach Gautam Gambhir felt that playing Samson at five or six ahead of Jitesh was the right call. He himself has no issues about playing wherever the team wants him to bat.

“He hasn’t batted at number five or six a lot of times. But that doesn’t mean he isn’t good enough to play at those positions. I think Sanju is good enough to bat at any number. Whatever the team’s requirement, the captain and head will decide. He’s more than happy to bat at any number,” Kotak told reporters.

India brushed aside the UAE in their Asia Cup 2025 opener, chasing down the target in just 4.3 overs to secure a massive boost to their net run rate. Meanwhile, all eyes are firmly set on the much-anticipated India-Pakistan clash on September 14, the marquee fixture of the eight-team tournament.