“Asia Cup 2025: Has Sanju Samson’s Opening Slot Hit a Dead End?”

Introduction: The Curious Case of Sanju Samson

Every cricket fan in India knows the pain of seeing talent go underutilized. Sanju Samson, the stylish wicketkeeper-batsman from Kerala, has been one such enigma. Despite smashing runs in the IPL, showing maturity in domestic cricket, and winning hearts with his stroke play, his place in the Indian squad remains shaky.

The latest buzz ahead of the Asia Cup 2025 is that Team India might avoid using Sanju Samson as an opener, even when many experts believe he deserves that spot. This raises a burning question: Why is Sanju being ignored as a potential opening option when his skill set is tailor-made for T20s?

In this detailed article, we’ll explore:

• Samson’s journey as an opener in IPL and India colors.

• Why selectors seem reluctant to give him a long run.

• Competition from Rohit, Jaiswal, Gill, and others.

• The politics, strategy, and data behind the decision.

• A realistic take on whether Samson can break into the XI as an opener for the Asia Cup or T20 World Cup.

Brace yourself, because this is not just a cricket article—it’s the story of one of India’s most underrated modern players.

Sanju Samson

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Chapter 1: Sanju Samson – The IPL Superstar

Sanju Samson has been one of the most consistent IPL performers over the past decade. His attacking intent in the powerplay overs has often given his team early momentum.

• Strike Rate: Around 138 in his IPL career.

• Best Phase: When opening or batting at No. 3.

• Notable Innings: Match-winning knocks for Rajasthan Royals in crunch situations.

Samson thrives when given freedom. His lofted drives, audacious flicks, and fearless six-hitting remind fans of an old-school Sehwag mixed with modern-day flair.

Yet, despite all this, India has rarely allowed him to open in T20Is.

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Chapter 2: The Indian Opening Conundrum

Here’s the real problem: India’s opening slots are overcrowded.

• Rohit Sharma: The captain, a legend, and undroppable until he retires.

• Yashasvi Jaiswal: The rising star, aggressive, left-handed, and already a fan favorite.

• Shubman Gill: The golden boy of Indian cricket, consistent across formats.

• KL Rahul (when fit): A technically solid opener with experience.

That’s four world-class options before Samson even gets considered. It’s like trying to get a seat on a fully packed Mumbai local train—good luck squeezing in.

This is why selectors hesitate to experiment with Samson at the top, even though he’s tailor-made for it.

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Chapter 3: Why Selectors Don’t Trust Samson as an Opener

Let’s be brutally honest—Samson’s international record doesn’t match his IPL hype.

• T20I Stats: Averages around 20 with inconsistent performances.

• Opportunities: Often thrown into random batting positions (No. 5, No. 6) without a stable role.

• Perception: Seen as “inconsistent” despite not getting a long run in one position.

Selectors are risk-averse. In big tournaments like the Asia Cup and T20 World Cup, they prefer tried-and-tested names over “explosive but unpredictable” players. Unfortunately for Sanju, this tag has followed him for years.

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Chapter 4: Samson vs His Rivals

Let’s do a head-to-head comparison:

This table shows why Samson lags—others are either more consistent or bring unique skills (left-hand, leadership, etc.).

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Chapter 5: The Emotional Connect with Fans

Despite his patchy record, Samson enjoys cult-like support from fans. Social media explodes with outrage whenever he is benched. Kerala cricket fans especially rally behind him, claiming he hasn’t been given a fair run.

His fans argue: “How many chances did Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul get despite failures? Why not the same for Sanju?”

This emotional connect keeps the debate alive and fuels the demand for him as an opener.

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Chapter 6: What Experts Say

Cricket pundits are divided:

• Supporters: Sunil Gavaskar, Irfan Pathan, and others have backed Samson’s talent and urged India to use him as an opener.

• Skeptics: Some experts argue that his “blow hot, blow cold” style is risky in international tournaments.

But one thing is certain: if Samson ever gets 10 consecutive matches as an opener, his career could look very different.

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Chapter 7: Asia Cup 2025 – What’s the Plan?

Here’s where things get interesting. Ahead of the Asia Cup:

• Likely Openers: Rohit Sharma + Jaiswal.

• Backup: Gill.

• Middle Order Role: Samson may only get a chance at No. 5/6 if injuries or rotation happen.

That means India is indeed avoiding using him as an opener—not because he isn’t capable, but because the slots are already locked.

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Chapter 8: Can Samson Reinvent Himself?

If Sanju can’t open, he has two options:

1. Be the Ultimate Finisher – Bat like Dhoni used to at No. 5/6.

2. Own the Wicketkeeper Role – Outperform Pant, KL Rahul, or Ishan Kishan with both bat and gloves.

Unless he does this, the opening slot will stay out of reach.

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Chapter 9: The Politics Angle

Let’s not pretend politics doesn’t exist in Indian cricket.

• Big-city players (Mumbai, Delhi) historically get longer runs.

• Samson, coming from Kerala, doesn’t have the same lobby power.

• Media hype around Gill, Jaiswal, and Rahul often overshadows him.

Fans believe this bias plays a role in why he isn’t trusted as an opener.

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Chapter 10: What the Future Holds

Will Sanju Samson ever be India’s opener?

• Short Term (Asia Cup & T20 WC 2025): Unlikely. Rohit and Jaiswal seem locked in.

• Long Term: If Rohit retires and Samson gets a consistent run, he can still claim the role.

But time is ticking. At 30, Samson needs to prove himself soon or risk being remembered as “IPL great, India underachiever.”

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Conclusion: The Verdict

So, is India planning to avoid Sanju Samson as the opener? The blunt answer is: Yes—for now.

Not because he lacks talent, but because India’s opening cupboard is overflowing with proven stars. Unless he reinvents his role or capitalizes on rare opportunities, Samson will remain on the sidelines of India’s top order.

But cricket is unpredictable. One injury, one bold selection call, or one explosive knock in a big match could change his destiny.

For now, though, Sanju Samson remains the eternal what if story of Indian cricket.