India, Aug. 17 -- Sanju Samson has become the talk of Indian cricket. On one hand, speculation surrounds his next Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise after reports that he told Rajasthan Royals he wants to part ways before the 2026 season; on the other, he finds himself in the thick of the selection drama for the upcoming Asia Cup. The selectors are expected to announce the T20I squad on Tuesday at a press conference in Mumbai.

Samson should be a certainty, having smashed three centuries in his last 12 T20Is after being backed extensively as an opener. However, Shubman Gill's recent form in the Test series against England has reignited calls for his inclusion in the T20I squad. Given that the 25-year-old is also a top-order batter, his...