A Selection That Sparked Conversations
Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has unveiled his preferred India XI for the Asia Cup, and his choices have taken the cricketing world by surprise. While most of his lineup looked predictable with stalwarts like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in place, it was his bold call to include Sanju Samson that set social media buzzing.
Samson Over Familiar Names
Pathan’s decision to back Sanju Samson in the playing XI comes at a time when the wicketkeeper-batter has often found himself on the fringes of the national setup. Despite his talent and IPL heroics, Samson has struggled for consistent opportunities in big tournaments. Pathan, however, believes his attacking flair in the middle order could be a game-changer in the Asia Cup.
Irfan’s Predicted XI
According to Pathan, his playing XI for India in the Asia Cup would look like this:
- Openers: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill
- Middle Order: Virat Kohli, Sanju Samson, Suryakumar Yadav
- All-Rounders: Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja
- Bowlers: Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh
This mix provides a balance of experience, youth, and versatility across departments.
Why Samson?
Explaining his selection, Pathan highlighted that Samson offers explosive batting in crunch situations and a second wicketkeeping option, which adds depth to the squad. “He’s a match-winner on his day, and tournaments like the Asia Cup need such fearless players,” Pathan reportedly said.
Fans React to the Bold Move
Reactions poured in immediately after Pathan’s XI was revealed. Many fans hailed the move as a refreshing break from the usual choices, while others debated whether Samson has done enough at the international stage to warrant a spot over proven performers like KL Rahul or Ishan Kishan.
Irfan Pathan’s Asia Cup XI has stirred a debate that mirrors India’s ongoing challenge of fitting multiple talented players into a competitive squad. Whether or not Sanju Samson makes the official cut, Pathan’s bold call has already ensured that the wicketkeeper-batter remains firmly in the spotlight ahead of the tournament.