Sanju Samson seems to have the support of the team leadership when trying to settle as a middle order in Asia Cup 2025. Kerala dough, which in recent months has enjoyed success as an opener, was asked to release the slot after SHUBMAN GILL was dismissed to the T20i.
Assistant coach Ryan Donchat, who spoke with the press on the eve of the second Indian match Super Four against Bangladesh, scheduled for September 24th, said the leadership believes that Samson is the right man who will play in the middle order despite the competition of slots. India persisted with Samson, although she had a middle -class specialist, Jitesh Sharma and Rink Singh.
Former Captain of the Netherlands, now an integral part of Gautam Gambhira supportive staff, acknowledged that Samson would require time and support to succeed in a new position after spent most of his career by opening batting.
“Yeah, I think he had two decent chances. And I think he’s still inventing how to play this role.
Samson scored fifty against UAE in the Indian final match of the group after arriving at No. 3 but but but but but but also Fought for rhythm against Pakistan In the first Super Four Clash on Sunday. He chased 172, Samson worked on 13 of the 17 supplies before Haris Rauf was bowed, and seemed to push too hard in medium breaks.
“But certainly with how Shaubman and Abi go to the top of and with your captain by launching on No. 3, and the way Tilak played, we are looking for No. 5. We believe Sanja is the best man for this job.
In the last two years, Samson has been on almost 40 as an opener, but in more than 15 shifts in the middle of the order he managed only one fifty plus score. Even in the IPL, he was largely performed in the first four for Rajasthan Royals, which made this role an unknown challenge.
The goal-finger hit three hundred a month last year and established itself next to Abhishek Sharma up. But with the restoration of Gill as a vice-cap for the Asia Cup, Samson was forced to move the order.
Opportunities for Jitesh and Rink?
Many of them expected Jitesh Sharma to take gloves and a bat in the middle order before Samson, but the leadership stuck with Senior Gloveman.
Ten Dranschat also pointed out that the Indian middle -order Indian doughs had limited opportunities, given the strong form of Openers Gill and Abhishek Sharma. India even made a conscious effort to provide her untested dough on Wednesday in the final match in the group against UAE.
But the coach assistant confirmed that Rink Singh and Jitesh Sharma, who heat the bench, are unlikely to appear in this tournament.
“We tried in Abu Dhabi to get these people some time in the middle.
“Probably we have to look at the bilateral series as a realistic opportunity to give them an exhibition. With the Super Four format or two victories do not guarantee advancement to the next phase. We cannot afford to take the foot from the pedal,” he said.
India is facing Bangladesh on Wednesday and Sri Lanka on Friday in Dubai. After Pakistan threw the game in their opening Super Four game, they are well placed to qualify for the finals of September 28.
The Asian Cup is also a decisive step in Indian preparations for the next year’s T20 Cup, with a series of five T20i matches in Australia in Australia.
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Published:
Akshay Ramesh
Published on:
September 23, 2025
