Shashi Tharoor Wants Sanju Samson as India Opener Despite Asia Cup Win
India lifted the Asia Cup 2025 title after a thrilling win over Pakistan in Dubai, but even amid celebrations, questions linger over the team’s batting order. Veteran Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has voiced his opinion, suggesting that Sanju Samson should have opened the innings with Abhishek Sharma instead of batting in the middle order.
Ahead of the tournament, Samson—who had struck three T20I centuries as an opener in 2024—was demoted to No.5 to accommodate vice-captain Shubman Gill at the top of the order. However, Gill’s modest run tally and Samson’s impressive adaptability have reignited debate among fans and analysts alike.
Shashi Tharoor’s Backing for Samson
Tharoor, the MP from Thiruvananthapuram and a long-time supporter of Samson, congratulated India for their victory but took to social media to make his stance clear.
“Sanju Samson should have opened with Abhishek Sharma, given their proven chemistry and past success. Gill’s promotion was a gamble that didn’t really pay off,” Tharoor remarked in his post on X (formerly Twitter).
His statement resonated with many Indian fans who were left puzzled by Samson’s inconsistent batting position across the tournament.
Samson vs Gill – The Numbers Tell a Story
The criticism isn’t without merit. Gill scored 127 runs in 7 innings with an average of 21.16 in the Asia Cup 2025. By contrast, Samson made 132 runs in 5 innings batting lower down, averaging 33.00.
The debate grew louder when Samson was shockingly pushed down to No.8 during India’s Super Four game against Bangladesh, a decision that many believed undermined his form and confidence.
Samson’s Own Take – “I Enjoyed the Pressure”
After playing a crucial role in the tense final against Pakistan, Samson addressed the situation in a candid post-match interview.
“Yeah, I really enjoyed the pressure actually. I have not played many India-Pakistan games, but today, I think the pressure was all over there. Three wickets down in the powerplay, so I just had to use my experience, calm the nerves down, and just watch the ball and react. That’s what I did, and it came off nicely,” he said.
Samson partnered Tilak Varma to steady India’s innings and admitted that such experiences prepare players for the upcoming T20 World Cup.
Samson’s Future Still Unclear
Despite proving his worth in high-pressure matches, Samson’s role in India’s T20I setup remains uncertain. With Gill firmly backed by team management and other openers like Abhishek Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal also in contention, Samson may continue to float down the order.
Still, Tharoor’s remarks highlight how fans and experts view Samson’s value as a natural opener—a debate likely to continue until India finalizes its World Cup squad.
For now, the Asia Cup trophy overshadows all controversies, but questions about the batting order shuffle and Samson’s long-term place in the XI are far from over.
