Aakash Chopra feels India should pick a backup opener like Shubman Gill for the Asia Cup 2025, with Sanju Samson fitting better at No. 5.
Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has highlighted the importance of selecting a backup opener for the Asia Cup 2025 squad. He stressed that India cannot risk going into the tournament with only Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson as options at the top.
India had faced a similar issue in the T20I series against England before the Champions Trophy, where no third opener was considered. Chopra believes this gap could force India into tough decisions ahead of the World Cup. He also noted that accommodating both Shubman Gill and Samson together may not work, as Samson is effective mainly as an opener while the middle order already features Tilak Varma and Suryakumar Yadav.
“I don’t think anyone needs to go out. It’s important that you keep another opener with you. India didn’t pick a third opener (in the T20I series against England). They weren’t even thinking about who would open if either Abhishek Sharma or Sanju Samson loses form. If you don’t keep the third opener here, you will have to keep him in the World Cup,” stated Chopra in a video on his YouTube channel.
“However, if Shubman Gill is the third opener, do you want to make him sit on the bench? If you don’t do that and play him in the XI, in whose place will you play him? If that player’s name is Sanju Samson, who will keep? That is the problem. You don’t see Sanju Samson batting in the middle-order. Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma will play at No. 3 and No. 4. Sanju at No. 5? That won’t be a good story,” he continued.
READ ALSO | “No One Needs To Go Out”: Aakash Chopra Bats For Backup Opener In India’s Asia Cup Squad
“Getting out five consecutive times against the short ball against England goes against Sanju. What goes against Shubman? If you want to make a destructive team, can Shubman Gill become a part of that DNA? That is the big question. Yashasvi Jaiswal can definitely become a part of that DNA, but are they thinking about Yashasvi?” Chopra added.
India will play Pakistan, Oman and UAE in Group A of the Asia Cup 2025, starting September 9, with selection debates ongoing.
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Last Updated on August 16, 2025
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