[WATCH] 'Out of natural position...'- Aakash Chopra gives advice to struggling Sanju Samson during Asia Cup 2025

Even though India is just one win away from qualifying for the final of the Asia Cup 2025 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, the concern is around the form of Sanju Samson, who was pushed into the middle order of the playing eleven due to making a vacant place for Shubman Gill at the opening position with Abhishek Sharma.

The former Indian opening batter, Aakash Chopra, reckoned that for most of his T20 career, Sanju has featured at the number one, two, and three for the IPL franchise and domestic teams. And that has made it a challenge for the veteran to be part of the middle order.

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“Everybody is under the scanner, so make no mistake. But Sanju is a bit more of a course. Because he is out of his natural position, where he has actually succeeded the most. That’s 1, 2, or 3. And it’s not just limited to international cricket. Even for his franchise in the IPL, he bats at 1, 2, or 3. Any time under that, the numbers don’t really add as much.” Aakash Chopra revealed on ESPNcricinfo.

Watch: Aakash Chopra seeks longer rope for Sanju Samson in middle order during Asia Cup 2025

During this ongoing competition, Samson celebrated just one fifty during the last group-stage clash against Oman. Apart from that, he got 13 against Pakistan and couldn’t bat in the last two clashes.

“Even when he is playing the Kerala Domestic Cricket League, he also started as number 5, 6, 7. Didn’t do much, and then he moved himself up the order and started smashing. So, that’s where Sanju has to be. But unfortunately, that’s not the case. While it’s right that the rope is generally not very long, it's also true that when you move somebody from their perfect position.” The former Delhi batter addressed.

“So to speak, you actually obliged to give him a longer rope. One small thing comes to my mind when Sourav Ganguly asked Virender Sehwag to open. The first thing he asked was whether I would be dropped if I fail. He said no. There is no place in the middle order, and that’s why we want you to open. For Sanju, you need to give him a longer rope.” Aakash Chopra concluded.