Former India selector backs young IPL stars as India's openers for Asia Cup 2025

The former Indian opening batter and selector, Krishnamachari Srikkanth, has expressed a different opinion in selecting India’s openers for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025 in the United Arab Emirates, starting from the second week of September. He suggested that Sanju Samson should not open the batting, given his struggles against the short ball.

Samson, who struggled during India’s home series against England earlier this year, has smashed 861 T20I runs in 38 innings, along with the number one T20I batter, Abhishek Sharma, who drilled 535 runs in 16 innings. Srikkanth, however, has backed the Punjab-born in the opening slot.

See Also: Star India players set to miss opening fixture of Duleep Trophy 2025

“Sanju Samson was found wanting against the short ball against England. According to me, it’s doubtful that he will open. If I were a selector, Abhishek Sharma would be my No. 1 choice. No. 2, I would go for either Vaibhav Suryavanshi or Sai Sudharsan. I would have Vaibhav Suryavanshi in my 15-member T20 World Cup squad as well.” Kris Srikkanth expressed on his YouTube channel.  

Kris Srikkanth picks Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Sai Sudharsan for Asia Cup 2025

Srikkanth has gone with Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Sai Sudharsan as India’s two openers for the event. The former is the 14-year-old kid, who smashed 252 runs at a strike rate of 206.55 in his first season of IPL for Rajasthan Royals. Sudharsan, on the other hand, clubbed 759 runs in IPL 2025 at a strike rate of 156.17, with six half-centuries and one century.

“Sai Sudharsan is the Orange Cap holder. He has been doing very well, and Yashasvi Jaiswal as well. So, one of Sudharsan, Suryavanshi, or Jaiswal should open with Abhishek. That would be my choice. This is a very competitive world. The choice can be between Samson and Jitesh Sharma as the keeper-batter.” The former Tamil Nadu batter addressed during the interaction.

As of now, the selection committee is expected to pick Samson and Abhishek as the two openers, with Tilka Verma slotted at number three. There are reports of the Test captain, Shubman Gill, making a surprising inclusion in the squad. The selection committee will meet on August 19 to pick the 15-member squad.