Shashi Tharoor flags concerns after Team India's Asia Cup win (AP Photo)
NEW DELHI: Well-knowned politician and Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has sparked a fresh discussion about wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson's batting position following India's victory in the 2025 Asia Cup final against Pakistan in Dubai on Sunday. He questioned the decision to include vice-captain Shubman Gill as an opener, resulting in Samson batting in the middle order.Both Gill and Samson had modest performances in the tournament. Gill, who opened regularly, scored 127 runs in seven innings with a strike rate of 151.19. Samson, batting between No. 3 and No. 5, managed 132 runs in four innings at a strike rate of 124.53."It is fair to ask a few questions, without in any way detracting from our victory. Was it right to break up the hugely successful opening partnership of Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson, and relegate a three-time centurion to a middle slot where he was uncomfortable? Did Gill's performances at the #AsiaCup justify such a change? Would it not be better to restore Sanju to the place where he has shone for India, put Gill at number three, and have Surya take the number five slot instead?" He wrote on X.Prior to the tournament, Samson was India's preferred opener. The team's decision to bring back Gill and appoint him as vice-captain made him a permanent fixture in the playing eleven.Samson contributed 20 runs in the final match. He helped stabilise the innings after India lost three early wickets during the powerplay."Yeah, I really enjoyed the pressure actually. I have not played many India-Pakistan games, but today, I think the pressure was all over there. Three wickets down in the powerplay, so I just had to use my experience, calm the nerves down, and just watch the ball and react. That's what I did, and it came off nicely. I think I had a really good partnership with Tilak, and really enjoyed playing the game today," he said after the match.
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