Sanju Samson’s New Batting Spot Could Decide India’s Fortune in Asia Cup 2025

The Asia Cup 2025 countdown has begun, and debates around India’s playing XI are gaining steam. With Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma set as the openers, the No.3 position is open for discussion. The former India batter Mohammad Kaif has openly backed Sanju Samson’s new batting spot, the No.3 over Tilak Varma, triggering a debate among fans and analysts alike.

 

Samson’s pedigree, form, and experience to handle spinners like Rashid Khan do present a strong argument in his favour. Yet, the emergence of Tilak Varma as a consistent run-maker in T20Is puts him directly in the radar of the team management. 

Why the No.3 Role is Crucial for India

 

The No.3 position in T20 cricket is not just about scoring runs; it is about controlling the match tempo. This batter has to adapt very quickly to the scenario of the game, whether an opener gets out early or a good platform has been provided by the other two.

 

• Early wicket: No.3 will have to steady the innings.
• Good start: No.3 should then push harder.
• The other way to look at it is: It generally sets the stability down the order.

 

This is why cricket analysts have been drawn toward Sanju Samson’s new batting spot at No.3 with a World Cup coming up in 2026.

Kaif’s Backing for Samson

At the start of the new season, Kaif made it quite obvious with his latest comments on Instagram.  He said that since Tilak Varma is young so he could wait for opportunities, while Samson is quite experienced Samson can deliver well in big tournaments.

Key Points from Kaif’s Statement:

 

• Samson is among the top 10 six-hitters in the IPL.
• He Can Take World-Class Spinners Like Rashid Khan in the Middle Overs.
• 2024 has already seen him score three T20I centuries. 
• Samson certainly deserves an assured run, considering that he is the most senior member of the Asia Cup squad.

Tilak Varma vs Sanju Samson at No.3

It is a tough call between the two. They both bring unique strengths to the table.

 

Players	Strength	Weakness
Tilak Verma	Young, fearless, consistent at No.3 in T20Is, scored back-to-back tons.	Limited experience in high-pressure tournaments.
Sanju Samson	Experienced, powerful hitter, excels against spin, senior-most squad member.	Inconsistent in patches, often shuffled between batting roles.

 

This stark head-to-head comparison now lays bare the reason why one of the most talked-about subjects in Indian cricket has become the change in position for Sanju Samson’s new batting spot.

Samson’s Recent Form in Domestic & International Cricket

 

Samson has remained in pretty good touch this Kerala Cricket League, having bounced back as an opener from an indifferent start lower down the order. If a playing eleven needs to include him based on his performance levels, it would be quite revealing about his adaptability.

 

Even though he didn’t play regularly, he made his presence on the 2024 T20 World Cup whenever called on to play; his strike rate was more than 180, and he almost scored 450 runs.

 

Such a stat really props up his claim for No.3, more so when India might face teams like Afghanistan or Pakistan, for which strong middle-order stability might be a need.

Why Tilak Still Remains Important

 

Over discussion regarding Sanju Samson’s new batting spot, the name Tilak Varma cannot be lost in the discussion. His ability to build innings at No.3 is perhaps the defining feature of his young international career.

 

The Asia Cup being a long tournament, squad rotation will become necessary. Tilak could still cause damage, especially in group-stage games where India might experiment with their batting order.

Upcoming Fixtures for India in Asia Cup 2025

Here’s a quick look at India’s schedule:

 

Match	Opponent	Date	Venue
1	UAE	SEPT 10	TBC
2	Pakistan	SEPT 13	TBC
3	Oman	SEPT 15	TBC

Whether he bats at the top of the order or elsewhere, it will be a most important decision for India on the course of the campaign against Pakistan and Oman, with heavy-duty battles.

Conclusion

 

About the No.3 spot, there is much debate over batting strength in India. Sanju Samson’s new batting spot offers experience, six-hitting power, and match-winning performances behind him. On the other hand, Tilak Varma is the prophecy in terms of stable performances with a quiet demeanor.” 

 

As India prepares for the Asia Cup 2025, the eyes of fans and experts will be glued to the management concerning the management of the old with the young. But one thing is certain—the No.3 contest is going to shape the very way to success for India in the tournament and beyond.

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FAQs

Q1. What makes Sanju Samson’s batting at No.3 for the Asia Cup 2025 a reasonable choice?

Experience, six-hitting ability, and good form at present would all go in favor of Sanju Samson at No.3.

 

Q2. How has Tilak Varma fared recently as the No.3 batter?

At number three, Tilak Varma made his mark in T20Is with a couple of centuries during 2024, against South Africa.

 

Q.3 Who are the openers for India in the Asia Cup 2025? 

Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma would apparently open the batting for India, with much speculation about the No. 3 spot.

 

Q4. What is the reason behind Mohammad Kaif’s contention that Sanju Samson should bat at No. 3?

In Kaif’s view, experience, the ability to take on spinners like Rashid Khan, and the IPL record for six-hitting are strong credentials in favor of Samson. 

 

Q5. When is India slated to commence its engagement in the Asia Cup 2025? 

India’s inaugural match shall be against the United Arab Emirates on 10th September, 2025.