New Delhi [India] – With the T20 Asia Cup approaching, former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has raised concerns about the team’s selection puzzle, warning that if Shubman Gill makes the squad, it could push an in-form Sanju Samson down to number five – a move he believes would be “not a good story.”
India faces multiple selection dilemmas ahead of the September 9 tournament, particularly how to accommodate Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal in a top order already featuring Abhishek Sharma, Samson, Tilak Varma, and Suryakumar Yadav.
On his YouTube channel, Chopra stressed the importance of a third opener, noting India had not named one in the recent T20I series against England. He argued that if Gill is selected as the extra opener, benching him would be wasteful – but playing him would likely displace Samson, who isn’t suited to the middle order. Samson’s record at No. 5 stands at just 62 runs in five innings, with a best of 30*.
Chopra ruled out replacing Abhishek Sharma, who dominated the England series with 279 runs in five matches at an average of 55.80 and a strike rate of 219.68, including a hundred and a fifty. Instead, Gill’s inclusion would most likely sideline Samson, undermining the investment in him as an opener over the last 12 matches.
The former opener also questioned whether Gill fits into India’s aggressive T20 template, pointing out his struggles against short balls in England and contrasting him with Jaiswal, who he believes suits the team’s “destructive DNA.”
Gill last played T20Is in July 2024, leading a second-string side to a series win in Zimbabwe, where he struck two fifties. He has since been sidelined due to Test priorities and scheduling, missing series against Bangladesh, South Africa, and England. In his absence, Abhishek, Samson, and Tilak have flourished at the top.
Since the last T20 World Cup, Abhishek has amassed 1,363 runs in 42 matches at a strike rate above 198, while Tilak has scored 1,200 runs at an average of 50 and a strike rate of 153.84. Samson, thriving as an opener, has made 908 runs at a strike rate of 157.09. Skipper Suryakumar Yadav has 1,107 runs at 161.13 SR in the same period.
Gill’s recent T20I numbers remain impressive – 893 runs in 22 matches at 47.00 average and a strike rate over 147 – but competition at the top is fierce. Jaiswal, another contender, last played T20Is in July 2024 but has been prolific in Tests and owns a T20I tally of 723 runs at a strike rate above 164.
With the Asia Cup final on September 28 followed closely by a Test series against West Indies from October 2, selectors must strike a balance between immediate success and building towards defending the T20 World Cup next year.
