Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar has questioned wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson’s selection in India’s squad in the ongoing Asia Cup 2025. The 50-year-old referred to the Rajasthan Royals (RR) captain as the “weak link” of the side, adding that KL Rahul may have been a better fit in the squad ahead of Samson.
Samson made 13 off 17 balls during India’s 172-run chase against Pakistan on Sunday, before he was bowled by Haris Rauf in the 17th over of the innings.
“Imagine iss team mein KL Rahul nahi hain. Sanju Samson ke jage KL Rahul banta hain. Woh toh nahi hain. Patake deta hain, chipka ke.. sahi kisam ke. Toh yeh weak link tha apka Sanju Samson. Match ek over pehle gaya. Otherwise toh match itna late jan hi nahi tha. Abhishek rehta toh, shayad yeh match paach over pehle khatam kar deta,” Akhtar said on Pakistan’s ‘Game On Hai’ TV show.
The 30-year-old RR wicketkeeper-batter has been moved to the middle-order in the ongoing continental event, instead of his usual top-order batting slot where he has been fruitful both for India and his Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise in the past.
He gave a glimpse of his ability to adapt in his new batting number when he made 56 off 45 balls in the final Group A fixture against Oman on Friday.
Ahead of the Super 4 clash against Bangladesh on Wednesday, India’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate said that Samson was still finding his feet as a middle-order batter. He did, however, express confidence that the 30-year-old would deliver in the new role soon.
“Yeah, I think he has had two decent chances. And I think he is still figuring out how to play that role. I think the wicket also got a little bit tired in the Pakistan game”.
“But certainly with the way Shubman and Abi are going at the top, and with your captain batting at No. 3, and the way Tilak has played, we are looking for a No. 5. We believe Sanju is the best man for the job. I have no doubt he will figure out how to play that role in the future,” the former Netherlands all-rounder said.
The Suryakumar Yadav-led side enter the Super 4 clash against Bangladesh as table-toppers, with two points and a net run-rate of 0.689. Their final Super 4 match will be against Sri Lanka on Friday.
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