Only a day remains for the Asia Cup 2025 to start T20. There is enough intrigue surrounding India's playing XI. With Shubman Gill's entry into the squad and his ascension to vice-captaincy, it is almost a done deal that he will open the batting.

Gill was one of the most successful Indian openers at IPL 2025. But Gill's entry also means that the set opening line-up of Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson will cease to exist.

Abhishek is the world No. 1 T20I batter, while Sanju Samson did well as a T20I opener in the last 12 months.

Former India coach Ravi Shastri believes Gill has to come into the XI but not at the cost of Samson. “He [Samson] is most dangerous in the top three. That's where he wins you matches.

He should be left there. It [replacing Samson with Gill] won't be that easy. Samson has a strong record for India at the top in T20s. Even Gill will find it tough to displace him.

Gill may come in for someone else, but Samson should be left alone as an opener,” Shastri said in an interaction with the media on Sunday.

Source:Ndtv