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Defending champions, Team India are unbeaten so far in the ongoing Men’s Asia Cup 2025. While the Men in Blue finished at the top of the Group A standings, they continue to dominate after registering a convincing six-wicket win in their Super Four opening game against Pakistan. Although, there were a few concerns in the camp, the opening 105-run stand at the top, proved crucial in India’s victory.
While the side will next face Bangladesh on Wednesday, September 24 in Dubai, ahead of the game, assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate shared big update on the India XI, hinting on Sanju Samson continuing at No. 5 amidst talks of his form.
Sanju is the best man at No. 5: Ryan ten Doeschate backs Samson for No. 5 spot
On the eve of the Super Four clash against Bangladesh, India assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate provided reassurance to the 30-year-old, stating, “Sanju has had two decent chances and he’s still figuring out how to play that role (at No. 5). The surface got a little bit tired in the Pakistan game.” “But certainly with the way Shubman and Abhishek are going at the top and you’ve got your captain batting at three and the way Tilak played (vs Pakistan), we’re really looking for a No. 5,” the former cricketer added.
“We believe Sanju is the best man for that job, and we’ve got no doubt he’ll figure out how to play that role in the future,” he affirmed.
Watch video of Ryan ten Doeschate backing Sanju Samson:
Speaking of the Kerala wicketkeeper-batter, he has only got a chance to bat in two of the four matches India has played thus far in the Asia Cup 2025. While he played a crucial 56-run knock in India’s 21-run win against UAE, in the Super Four match against Pakistan, Samson struggled as he could only score 13 off 17 balls.
India’s squad for Asia Cup 2025:
Suryakumar Yadav (c), Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Sanju Samson, Harshit Rana, Rinku Singh.
