India, Aug. 24 -- For the last 12 months, the Indian team management and the selectors invested in Sanju Samson as an opener in the T20I format. He repaid the faith with three centuries in his last 10 innings in the format. Hence, there was little concern over his place in the Asia Cup squad. But the announcement on Tuesday by BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar left him in a spot of bother for a place in the playing XI. With Shubman Gill's return to the T20I fold, especially as the vice-captain, it has been widely speculated that Samson might not only miss out on the role as an opener.

Samson could still be retained as a middle-order batter, but India have specialists at their disposal, leaving his chances on thin ice.

On Saturday, the wi...