Yes, it is official now. Shubman Gill is back in the T20I fold, named vice-captain of the 15-member Asia Cup squad led by Suryakumar Yadav. The Gujarat Titans skipper Shubman Gill returns to a T20I top order that, until very recently, appeared to be operating seamlessly.
Sanju Samson should be a certainty, having smashed three centuries in his last 12 T20Is after being backed extensively as an opener. However, Shubman Gill’s recent form in the Test series against England has reignited calls for his inclusion in the T20I squad.
Most selection committees around the world might have hesitated to disturb such a well-oiled top four, with Suryakumar Yadav adding his experience to the mix.Yet, on Tuesday, the selectors not only recalled Shubman Gill but also elevated him to the role of vice-captain. The message was unambiguous: Gill is not returning to warm the bench.
In Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma, India had discovered a new-look opening pair playing a brand of modern T20 cricket that thrilled both analysts and audiences. The left–right combination had been afforded a stretch of 12 games together, signalling that the Gautam Gambhir-led team management was working with a clear vision — one aligned with the aggressive demands of the contemporary game.
Sanju Samson retained his place in the 2025 Asia Cup squad. The wicketkeeper-batsman has been a regular in the playing XI after the 2024 T20 World Cup. He played the home series against Bangladesh before touring South Africa. Sanju Samson also played the five-match T20I series against England at home. There was never a doubt over Sanju Samson’s place in the team and he is set to play the continental tournament.
Sanju Samson has become the talk of Indian cricket. On one hand, speculation surrounds his next Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise after reports that Sanju Samson told Rajasthan Royals he wants to part ways before the 2026 season; on the other, Sanju Samson finds himself in the thick of the selection drama for the upcoming Asia Cup. The selectors are expected to announce the T20I squad on Tuesday at a press conference in Mumbai.
Sanju Samson vs Shubman Gill statistical highlights
Following Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma’s impressive performance in the last few T20I matches, it can be said that this duo will be seen opening the innings in the upcoming Asia Cup, meanwhile Shubman Gill’s name is also in the news.
Gill was appointed Test capatin for the England tour and under his leadership India managed to draw the series 2-2. Looking at Gill’s leadership quality, BCCI wants to make him the captain of all three formats in the future, so it is being said that he can be selected in the Asia Cup and he can also become the vice-captain of the team.
Let’s take a look at the statistics of Sanju Samson and Shubman Gill after 21 T20Is. Samson has played 42 matches overall, while Gill has featured in 21 matches so far. Here, we compare the stats of both players from their first 21 matches to see who is ahead.
Shubman Gill has scored 578 runs in 21 T20Is at an average of 30.42. 170 runs from his bat have come against Zimbabwe in five innings at an average of 42.50. He has scored 144 runs in three innings against New Zealand at an average of 72 and 131 runs in five innings against Sri Lanka at an average of 26.20. Apart from this, he has scored 102 runs in five innings against West Indies at an average of 20.40.
At the same time, Sanju Samson had amassed 320 runs at an average of 18.82 after 21 T20I matches. In seven innings against Sri Lanka, he amassed 102 runs at an average of 14.57. At an average of 21.33, Sanju Samson also amassed 64 runs in four innings against the West Indies and 77 runs in an innings against Ireland.
After 21 T20I matches, Gill has a strike rate of 139.27. He scored at a strike rate of 184.61 in three innings against New Zealand, 135.05 in five innings against Sri Lanka, 120 in five innings against the West Indies, and 125.92 in five innings against Zimbabwe.
Meanwhile after 21 matches, Sanju Samson’s strike rate was 131.14. His strike rate in three innings against Australia was 141.17 and in seven innings against Sri Lanka was 125.92. Apart from this, in four innings against West Indies, Sanju Samson had a strike rate of 120.75. His strike rate in an innings against Ireland was 183.33.
Gill has scored 50+ runs four times in 21 T20I matches, which includes one century and three half-centuries. His highest score is an unbeaten 126 off 63 balls against New Zealand in Ahmedabad in February 2023, which included 12 fours and seven sixes. He has also smashed two half-centuries against Zimbabwe and one against the West Indies.
Sanju Samson had only one half-century to his name after 21 T20I matches. He scored 77 runs off 42 balls against Ireland in Dublin (Malahide) in June 2022. This innings included nine fours and four sixes. Sanju Samson’s career has now taken off, showing a significant improvement in his statistics. In 42 T20Is, he has scored 861 runs at a strike rate of 152.4, including three centuries and two half-centuries.
Given that the 25-year-old Shubman Gill is also a top-order batter, his selection could push Sanju Samson down to the middle order or even leave him out altogether.But as per a former India opener R Ashwin, Samson will not be part of the playing XI.
R Ashwin opens up on the Shubman Gill- Sanju Samson conundrum ahead of Asia Cup 2025
While the Sanju Samson debate rages on in the lead-up to India’s opening Asia Cup 2025 match against the United Arab Emirates in Dubai on Wednesday evening, former India off-spinner R Ashwin has snubbed his old Rajasthan Royals teammate from the Men in Blue’s lineup. Instead, Ashwin has backed the returning Shubman Gill to take over Samson’s opening slot, adding that the vice-captain and the Kerala wicket-keeper cannot feature together in the T20I XI for the tournament.
Ashwin explained his decision, stating that the 30-year-old Samson has not played as a wicket-keeper/finisher in the side as yet, and it would be difficult to slot him down the order. Instead, the veteran Tamil Nadu spinner urged that India could pick Jitesh Sharma and slot him at No. 5, behind the quarter of Abhishek Sharma, Gill, skipper Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma.Speaking about the same on his Youtube video R Ashwin said :
“The rest of the 10 are a lock, this is the only debatable spot. Will Sanju Samson have a spot in the middle order? No chance in my opinion. You can figure this out by looking at the nets, just like how looking at a house can help figure about a country. Shubman Gill will definitely play, while Sanju Samson will only be knocking (practice). Because he didn’t even bat in the nets. It’s sad that he won’t be starting in the Asia Cup.”
Knowing that his return has been under immense scrutiny, Ashwin has predicted Test captain Gill to make a statement in the tournament and top the batting charts by the end of the continental event.
“I have my reasons to say that. He is also aware that there has been some talk around his batting. There can be talk, but Shubman Gil and Abhishek Sharma. Folks get scared with that opening combination. Shubman Gill knows he needs to make runs, and he will want to make runs. He is a run machine. He can make big runs at a lower strike rate,” Ashwin said.
“Abhishek Sharma will tee off at one end. Shubman Gill could be the glue around which the team is built up. In today’s times, there is not a lot of need to become the glue in T20 cricket. But Shubman has it in him to play conventional cricket and still make a 100 off 55 balls,” Ashwin said.
The Men in Blue will kick off their Asia Cup campaign against the UAE on September 10, while the high-voltage game against arch-rivals Pakistan is scheduled for September 14, with both fixtures set to be played in Dubai. Meanwhile, Suryakumar Yadav and Co. will play their final group stage fixture against Oman on September 19 in Abu Dhabi.
Also Read: ENG vs IND : Shubman Gill Appointed Test Skipper For Red Ball