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Gill Tipped as India's Top Choice for Asia Cup 2025 Opening Slot
20 Aug
Summary
- Shubman Gill makes comeback to T20 setup, named vice-captain
- Sanju Samson also included in the squad, but Gill preferred as opener
- Gill's consistent IPL form and Samson's high strike rate raise selection questions
On August 20th, 2025, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the squad for the upcoming Asia Cup tournament. The selection committee, led by Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar, has made some interesting choices, with Shubman Gill making a comeback to the T20 setup and even being named the team's vice-captain.
The big question, however, is who will open the innings for India alongside Abhishek Sharma. Agarkar hinted that Gill is the preferred choice, clarifying that Sanju Samson had only been used as an opener in Gill's absence. This suggests that the team management is likely to back the Abhishek-Gill pair at the top of the order.
Gill has been in impressive form in the IPL, scoring 3,866 runs across 115 innings at an average of 39.44 and a strike rate of 138.71. In his 21 T20I appearances, he has scored 578 runs at an average of 30.42 and a strike rate of 139.27. Samson, on the other hand, has played 42 T20Is, amassing 861 runs with three centuries and two half-centuries, maintaining a strong strike rate of 152.38.
The inclusion of both Gill and Samson in the squad presents an intriguing selection dilemma for the team management, as they weigh the merits of Gill's consistency against Samson's explosive batting at the top of the order.
