NEW DELHI: The debate over who should be India’s first-choice wicketkeeper for the Asia Cup 2025 is heating up as the tournament approaches. Former India cricketer and commentator Aakash Chopra weighed in on the discussion, highlighting the ideal candidate for the role of wicketkeeper-batter in the squad set to take the field from September 9.Without hesitation, Chopra named Sanju Samson as the frontrunner for the position. Samson, when deployed as an opener or in the top three batting positions, has consistently delivered impressive performances that make a strong case for his inclusion.
“Sanju Samson has struck three centuries in the last 12 matches. He is also part of the team at the moment. So, of course, he will be the first guy to talk about for a keeper-batter role. If we see his numbers in the top three in all T20s, he has scored more than 6,000 runs at a strike rate of 140 and an average of 33. These are truly good numbers,” Chopra remarked on his YouTube channel.Samson’s recent form underscores Chopra’s point. In his last 10 T20I innings, the left-handed batter has produced explosive performances, including scores of 111 against Bangladesh and 107 against South Africa, with striking strike rates above 200 in multiple games. His ability to score quickly and handle high-pressure situations makes him a valuable asset at the top of the order.On the other hand, Jitesh comes into the Asia Cup with a strong reputation as a finisher following a stellar IPL season. He played a pivotal role in Royal Challengers Bangalore’s maiden IPL title triumph, often producing match-winning innings under pressure. His skills in the latter stages of the game could complement Samson’s aggressive starts, giving India multiple options in the batting lineup.The Asia Cup 2025 promises to be fiercely competitive. India has been drawn in Group A alongside Oman, hosts UAE, and arch-rivals Pakistan, while Group B consists of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Hong Kong, and Sri Lanka. The tournament will test India’s depth in both batting and wicketkeeping roles, and the choice between Samson and other contenders will be closely watched by fans and experts alike.
