Former India opener and selector Kris Srikkanth feels that either Vaibhav Suryavanshi or Sai Sudharsan should open the innings for India with Abhishek Sharma instead of Sanju Samson in the Asia Cup 2025 as well. Srikkanth said that
Samson’s weakness against the short ball was exposed in the home series against England as well, suggesting that other teams could also exploit this tactic.

Speaking on his YouTube channel ‘Cheeky Cheeka’, he commented:  “Sanju Samson was found wanting against the short ball against England. According to me, it’s doubtful that he will open. If I was a selector, Abhishek Sharma would be my No. 1 choice. No. 2, I would go for either Vaibhav Suryavanshi or Sai Sudharsan. I would have Vaibhav Suryavanshi in my 15-member T20 World Cup squad as well. He is playing brilliantly.”

READ HERE: Shubman Gill Takes Sly Dig At His Critics After India Win At Edgbaston

“Sai Sudharsan is the Orange Cap holder. He has been doing very well and Yashasvi Jaiswal as well. So, one of Sudharsan, Suryavanshi or Jaiswal should open with Abhishek. That would be my choice. This is a very competitive world. The choice can be between Samson and Jitesh Sharma as the keeper-batter. I will also bring in Shreyas Iyer. Shreyas, Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel are certainties,” Kris Srikkanth concluded.