'Sanju is experienced, should bat at No.3 over Tilak Varma' - Kaif's bold opinion on India's batting unit

Published - 03 Sept 2025, 19:00 IST | Updated - 03 Sept 2025, 18:51 IST

Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif has recently batted for the inclusion of Sanju Samson in the place of Tilak Varma at the No. 3 spot in the upcoming 2025 edition of the Asia Cup. Samson is one of the 15 members who are in the Suryakumar Yadav-led squad. It isn't a surprise that the management is backing the Hyderabad batter for the No. 3 spot, however, Kaif feels otherwise.

Kaif felt that Tilak has age on his side and can wait on the sidelines for his opportunity. He advocated for Sanju at No. 3 by considering the T20 World Cup to be played in India and Sri Lanka next year. Keeping the upcoming global event in mind, the cricketer-turned-YouTuber has voiced for Samson batting one down, also noting his experience in the format.

“Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill will open (in the Asia Cup). For the No. 3 spot, I feel Tilak Varma is a youngster and can wait for his turn. Sanju is an experienced batter, and he could be groomed by giving him consistent opportunities at No. 3. There is a World Cup after six months, and he deserves a chance,” stated Kaif in a video on his YouTube channel.

"RCB star's entry pushed Gill as opener over Samson"

The Uttar Pradesh-born highlighted Samson's prowess of being able to smack maximums straight over the bowler's head, a skill not many are able to execute with perfection. He also shed light on Samson's performances in the performances in South Africa during the away series last year and those in the IPL too, where the Kerala-born leads Rajasthan Royals.

“He is among the top 10 six-hitters in the IPL. That’s why I believe when Rashid Khan comes to bowl in the middle overs, there cannot be a better player against him than Sanju, as he can hit sixes down the ground. South Africa has one of the toughest conditions for batting, and he has hit two centuries as an opener there. He plays both pace and spin well, and in the IPL, he scores 400-500 runs every year,” noted Kaif.

There are multiple talks which have been circulating that India will go ahead with the opening duo of Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill, with Jitesh Sharma as the wicketkeeper-batter in the middle-order. This, in turn, will make Sanju sit out of the XI.