Legendary former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has weighed in on the team selection dilemma ahead of the Asia Cup 2025, backing Sanju Samson to feature in India`s playing XI and expressing his preference to see the Kerala wicketkeeper-batter bat at No.3.

With Shubman Gill returning to the T20 setup as vice-captain, his place at the top of the order alongside Abhishek Sharma seems assured. However, the composition of the middle order remains open to debate. The selectors face a tough call between the dynamic Sanju Samson and Jitesh Sharma, a player more accustomed to finishing roles in the lower middle order.

"If you take somebody like Sanju Samson in the core team, then you can`t leave him out in the reserves," Gavaskar told a select group of journalists ahead of the tournament starting September 9 in the UAE.