Sanju Samson's Batting Struggles Raise Questions Ahead of Asia Cup Final

As India prepares for the Asia Cup final on September 28, 2025, the team management is grappling with a few issues that have emerged during the tournament. One of the primary concerns is the role of Sanju Samson in the batting lineup. Against Bangladesh on September 25th, Samson was not even considered among the top seven batters, raising questions about his fit in the middle order.

The team's fielding has also been a cause for concern, with the side dropping a total of 10 catches in the tournament so far, including five against Bangladesh. Fielding coach Ryan ten Doeschate acknowledged that there is room for improvement in this aspect, as catches can make a crucial difference in high-stakes games.

While the team has secured comfortable victories in all five matches played so far, there are some chinks in the Indian armoury that need to be addressed. The promotion of Shivam Dube as the No. 3 batter was an attempt to keep the left-right combination in the middle, but it did not yield the desired results.

In this context, the team management might be tempted to give Jitesh Sharma, a proven finisher in the IPL and domestic cricket, a chance in the inconsequential final Super 4 encounter against Sri Lanka on September 27th. Sharma's impressive numbers batting at No. 5, 6, and 7 could provide the team with a viable option to bolster the middle order.

As India looks to clinch the Asia Cup title, the team will need to address these concerns and ensure that they are in the best possible shape for the grand finale on September 28th.