Former India batter Mohammad Kaif believes that Sanju Samson’s place in the playing XI for the 2025 Asia Cup is uncertain now. He also stated that Shubman Gill’s retun to the T20I side, especially as a vice-captain, makes him a certainty in the playing XI for the tournament.
Speaking on his YouTube 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.”
“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,” he further added.
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Mohammad Kaif further supported the selectors for picking Shubman Gill both as the vice-captain and player for the tournament as well. He also added that Gill has been amazing as a batter in the IPL over the last three years, scoring 890 (17 innings), 426 (12 innings), and 650 (15 innings), respectively.
Kaif said in the same video: “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.”
“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. He led brilliantly, and his bat never stops. If you look at his performance in 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,” Mohammad Kaif concluded.
