RCB star the reason behind Gill as preferred opener over Samson: Irfan Pathan [Exclusive]

There have been several questions around who will take the field as Abhishek Sharma’s opening partner in the Asia Cup.

Published - 02 Sept 2025, 19:38 IST | Updated - 02 Sept 2025, 20:06 IST

3 Min Read

Former India cricketer Irfan Pathan feels that RCB's Jitesh Sharma who had a breakout season in their title-winning campaign serving as the wicketkeeper-batter in India's middle-order will push Shubman Gill's case over Sanju Samson for opening alongside Abhishek Sharma in the upcoming Asia Cup. There have been several questions around who will take the field as Abhishek Sharma’s opening partner in the continental tournament.

The former all-rounder was asked whether Samson should be looked into, considering his form in the ongoing 2025 season of the Kerala Cricket League. Irfan shed light on Samson's inconsistent pattern with the bat despite his outings in the KCL. He felt Abhishek's bowling abilities as well as Jitesh's place in the squad placed Gill ahead of Samson in the reckoning.

"It’s a tough one. Isn’t it? If you look at it, Sanju has done really well. Obviously, there is one question mark in terms of his consistency. He was scoring hundreds, and then he was getting out cheaply, and there was a pattern as well, but he has done well. On the other hand, Abhishek Sharma, because he can bowl as well, and he got an outstanding strike rate. So, Abhishek Sharma will be there for sure. I think because Jitesh Sharma has got into the side, now they have the option to have Shubman Gill and keeper-batter Jitesh Sharma in the playing XI," Irfan told CricTracker in a conversation arranged by Sony Sports Network.

However, the Baroda-born felt that the only case where Samson would get an opportunity to be in the XI would be if the management would pick him to play in the middle-order instead of Jitesh. The cricketer-turned-commentator also highlighted that Gill should not displace Tilak Varma's No. 3 position to accommodate Sanju up top.

"To accommodate Shubman Gill, this is where we are in Indian cricket at the moment. I see that Sanju Samson might not get a chance in the playing XI. It will be hard. I’ve seen that Sanju has been trying to play down the order. If he can do that, we can play Samson at No.5. If that happens, Jitesh Sharma will not be there in the XI. Then, Samson can bat in the middle-order. Shubman Gill should bat up the order because Tilak Varma has done well at No.3 as well," added Irfan.

India are placed in Group A alongside Pakistan, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates. The Men in Blue, led by Suryakumar Yadav, last played the 20-over format earlier this year during the white-ball series against England, winning the five-match series by a comprehensive margin.

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