Samson and Sharma Vie for Middle Order Spot in India‘s Asia Cup 2025 Squad
MUMBAI – The selection of wicket-keeper batsmen for India’s 15-member Asia Cup 2025 squad is generating important debate, with Sanju Samson and Jitesh Sharma emerging as key contenders for a middle-order position. Both players have been included in the preliminary squad, setting up a competitive battle for a place in the final XI.
Over the past year, Samson has consistently performed well as a wicket-keeper in T20 matches. However, the return of Shubman Gill too the lineup adds complexity to the selection process. Gill is expected to occupy a top-order spot, potentially pushing Samson down the batting order.
While Jitesh Sharma presents a strong challenge to Samson, the latter has demonstrated recent form in the Kerala Cricket League (KCL). Samson stabilized his performance in KCL, achieving a strike rate of 186.80 and scoring four consecutive half-centuries. His scores included 89 off 51 balls, 46 off 46 balls, 62 off 62 balls, and 83 off 83 balls.
In the 2025 IPL season,Samson accumulated 285 runs. He also showed promise in the recent five-match T20 series against England, crossing 30 runs in each game. However, his international T20 record remains limited, with only five appearances in the middle order. Similarly, for Rajasthan Royals, he batted at number five three times, scoring 34 runs.
Sharma, known for his aggressive batting style and a strike rate of 176.35, could be favored as a specialist finisher in the lower middle order. Both Samson and Sharma are also competing for the role of second wicket-keeper batsman in the upcoming World Cup squad.
India’s team for Asia Cup 2025:
suryakumar Yadav, Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, Hardik patel, Jitesh Sharma, Sanju Samson.
Standbys: Prasid Krishna, Washington sundar, Ryan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, yashasvi Jaiswal.
