Asia Cup 2025: Sanju Samson’s Place In Playing XI Could Be In Jeopardy Reckons Mohammad Kaif.

Former Royal Challengers Bengaluru and India batter Mohammad Kaif believes that Sanju Samson’s place in India’s playing XI for the 2025 Asia Cup is in a spot of bother. The cricketer turned analyst pointed out that Shubman Gill’s comeback to the T20I side, especially as a vice-captain makes him a certainty in the India playing XI, as an opening batter for the Asia Cup 2025.

The 44-year-old believes that with Abhishek Sharma, Gill, Tilak Varma, and skipper Suryakumar Yadav in the top four for Team India, the management might consider using Jitesh Sharma in the middle order. Kaif also lauded the wicket-keeper batter for his heroics in IPL 2025 as the Royal Challengers Bengaluru lifted their maiden title. Notably, Jitesh scored 261 runs in 11 innings at a stunning strike rate of 176.35 which included a half-century in the recently concluded 2025 season.

Mohammad Kaif gives his views on Sanju Samson’s position in the side. 

Speaking on his You Tube channel, Mohammad Kaif said: “I think Sanju Samson’s place in the XI is tough. Like they said, when the team reaches the UAE, they’ll see how the teams and how the players are performing. In that way, the XI will be made. If Sanju Samson can’t come in the top 4, which I believe at the moment. There will be Gill and Abhishek Sharma to open. Tilak Varma will play at No. 3; his record is brilliant for India. And Suryakumar Yadav will come in at No. 4.” 

He further added: “I think if Sanju Samson doesn’t come in the top four, then Jitesh Sharma is a specialist player at No. 5 or 6. He shows good performance at 5 and 6. He recently helped RCB win the trophy. He had form with the bat, so he goes ahead because Gill becoming vice-captain and opening with Abhishek Sharma is a warning sign for Sanju Samson. He might not get a chance in the playing XI. He suffered a loss.”

Sanju Samson has impressive stats in T20Is as compared to Shubman Gill and Jitesh Sharma. The Kerala batter has amassed 861 runs in 38 innings at a strike rate of 152.38 which includes three centuries and two fifties. On the other hand, Shubman Gill has scored 578 runs in 21 innings at a strike rate of 139.27 which includes one hundred and three fifties. Meanwhile, Jitesh has managed 100 runs in seven innings at a strike rate of 147.05.

Samson, in particular, smashed three centuries i.e. two against Bangladesh and one against South Africa as an opener in 2024. The right-hander, however, managed to score only 51 runs in five innings during the five-match T20I series against England in January 2025. Meanwhile, Shubman Gill returned with scores of 34 and 39 in his two outings during his last T20I series against Sri Lanka in July 2024.

Mohammad Kaif Supports Shubman Gill’s Inclusion in the side. 

Mohammad Kaif further backed the selectors for picking Shubman Gill both as India’s vice-captain and as a player for Asia Cup 2025. Kaif pointed out that the Gujarat Titans captain has been remarkable as a batter in the Indian Premier League over the last three years, scoring 890 runs in 17 innings, 426 runs in 12 innings, and 650 runs in 15 innings respectively.

The former cricketer Kaif also took the example of chief selector Ajit Agarkar’s dressing room chat with the GT players under Gill’s captaincy in the IPL. He also stressed that the 25-year-old Gill helped India tie the five-match Test series against England 2-2 in his first stint as Test captain.

Speaking in the same video, Kaif said: “Why was he made vice-captain? It’s because he has leadership qualities. We saw in England that he led brilliantly, levelled the series at 2-2. He scored runs with the bat. The selectors, especially Ajit Agarkar, once quoted that they go to the dressing room and talk with the players about how Gill is leading the team for Gujarat. This comment was made during IPL. The way Gill worked with the Gujarat Titans there were great news. Everyone praised him. Gill, the leader, performed excellently.” 

Kaif continued: “What will be the playing XI? Who will bowl when, and he looked good tactically as well. This was Agarkar’s point of view, and after that, the team was made for the Test match. Gill was made captain for the England tour, and of course, it’s praiseworthy because I saw him closely in the IPL.” 

Kaif further added: “He led brilliantly, and his bat never stops. If you look at his performance in the IPL over the last three years, he has scored nearly 2000 runs. The strike rate is in 150s. So, there is no lack in any area. See, the selectors always keep in mind IPL’s performance.” 

As a captain, Shubman Gill led Gujarat Titans to 14 wins in 27 matches and helped the Titans reach the knockouts in the IPL 2025 season.

It remains to be seen how the playing XI is sorted out once the team reaches the UAE as these are all talented players creating healthy headaches for the team management. We shall wait and see how it goes and whether Samson finds a place in the playing XI.

Also Read: Asia Cup 2025: Mohammad Kaif Hopes Axar Patel Was Informed About His Removal as Vice-Captain.