The anticipation for the 2025 Asia Cup is building, but the Indian team selection is still pending. With the tournament starting on September 9th and featuring eight teams, cricket analysts and former players are offering their insights. Krishnamachari Srikkanth, a celebrated figure from India’s 1983 World Cup victory, has weighed in with his views on the upcoming Asia Cup.
Srikkanth’s perspective includes a surprising exclusion: Sanju Samson is not in his preferred opening pair. Instead, he proposes a youthful lineup of Abhishek Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, and Sai Sudarshan. This recommendation has sparked considerable debate within the cricketing community.
On his YouTube channel, ‘Chikki Chika,’ Srikkanth explicitly favored Abhishek Sharma as the first opening batsman. He then suggested choosing between Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudarshan, or Vaibhav Suryavanshi to partner with Sharma. This choice reflects a strategic shift, prioritizing emerging talent.
The rationale behind excluding Sanju Samson stems from observations of his performance against short balls, particularly in the T20 series against England. Srikkanth noted Samson’s struggles in that series, indicating a potential vulnerability. ‘Sanju Samson didn’t perform well against short balls against England. In my opinion, it’s difficult for him to open. If I were a selector, Abhishek Sharma would be my first choice. For the second choice, I would choose one of Vaibhav Suryavanshi or Sai Sudarshan,’ he stated.
Srikkanth also highlighted Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s impressive form, advocating for his inclusion in the 15-member squad. He acknowledged Sai Sudarshan’s Orange Cap status and the strong performances of Yashasvi Jaiswal. He proposes that one of Sudarshan, Suryavanshi, or Jaiswal should partner with Abhishek Sharma to open the innings. Furthermore, he suggested a choice between Samson and Jitesh Sharma for the wicketkeeper-batsman role.