Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif has thrown his weight behind Sanju Samson for the all-important No. 3 spot in India’s Asia Cup 2025 batting order, sparking a fresh debate ahead of the tournament. Kaif believes Samson’s blend of experience, versatility, and recent form makes him the ideal choice over the younger Tilak Varma, despite Varma’s rapid rise in international cricket.
With India set to open their campaign against the UAE on September 10, the batting order is under scrutiny. Shubman Gill, the vice-captain, is expected to open alongside Abhishek Sharma, which leaves Samson or Varma to slot in at No. 3. For Kaif, the answer is clear: Samson should be trusted with the role.
Kaif’s reasoning is grounded in both statistics and match awareness. He pointed out that Samson has demonstrated maturity in crunch situations and has delivered consistently across formats. Samson’s track record in T20 cricket includes centuries against quality opposition, and his IPL numbers back up his ability to dominate spin and pace alike. Kaif also highlighted Samson’s six-hitting ability, noting that he ranks among the most reliable boundary-clearers in Indian cricket. In Kaif’s view, this power-hitting capacity is vital in the middle overs, especially against spin-heavy sides such as Afghanistan.
Tilak Varma, meanwhile, has enjoyed a meteoric rise, earning a top-two ICC T20I batting ranking and showing composure beyond his years. But Kaif believes high-stakes tournaments demand proven experience. “Tilak can wait,” Kaif argued, suggesting that the Asia Cup and the run-up to the T20 World Cup should be about giving Samson continuity and confidence in the No. 3 slot.
Samson’s numbers at No. 3 further strengthen the case. His strike rate in that position is significantly higher than his overall career rate, and his average is healthier as well. In the past year alone, he has scored three T20I centuries—no other Indian batter has managed as many in the same period. Beyond numbers, Samson’s adaptability stands out: he has opened successfully, finished games in the middle order, and handled pressure against both pace and spin.
For India’s team management, the choice is not simply between youth and experience but between stability and experimentation. With the T20 World Cup less than a year away, establishing a settled batting order could prove crucial. Samson at No. 3 offers India a right-hander who can both stabilize and accelerate, complementing Gill’s timing at the top and Suryakumar Yadav’s flair in the middle.
Tilak’s time will undoubtedly come, but Kaif’s endorsement of Samson underscores a pragmatic approach: pick the man in form, with the tools and temperament to thrive against world-class bowling. India cannot afford to treat the Asia Cup as a rehearsal; they must treat it as a proving ground.
By backing Samson for No. 3, Kaif has set the tone for what could become one of India’s most important selection decisions—not just for the Asia Cup, but for the T20 World Cup that follows.
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