The much-awaited Asia Cup 2025 is just around the corner, and the Suryakumar Yadav-led Team India has begun their preparations in the UAE ahead of the marquee event.
As per the latest developments, reported by Revsportz, Royal Challengers Bengaluru glovesman Jitesh Sharma is all set to be India's first-choice wicket-keeper ahead of the experienced Sanju Samson.
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Jitesh Sharma to be India's first-choice wicket-keeper
As India prepares for their Asia Cup campaign starting next week, the latest developments from the UAE suggest that the RCB wicket-keeper Jitesh Sharma is set to start in the XI for India ahead of the experienced Sanju Samson.
Jitesh played a key role in taking RCB to their first IPL title earlier this May. The batter from Vidarbha has been in prolific form in the T20 format lately. He ended IPL 2025 with a total of 261 runs, finishing games for his side, coming down the order.
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His exceptional stroke-playing skills and the ability to hit big from the get-go create an intimidation factor amongst the bowlers. Although he wasn't a part of India's squad when the side last featured in T20s, his terrific form lately has now made him a frontrunner.
Why Jitesh and not Sanju?
With the return of Shubman Gill, up the order, Sanju Samson's place in the side was always in doubt. While Sanju has done well for the side, opening the innings previously, but, in India's last series against England, he had some really poor outings.
The batter ended the series with just 35 runs in 5 innings and was ruled out of the fifth game with an injured finger. His stint at the IPL 2026 was not great either. He played just nine games and battled through multiple injuries.
With a packed Indian top-order, with the likes of Gill, Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar, Tilak Varma, and others, the side is reportedly looking for someone who can assist Hardik Pandya in finishing games down the order, a role in which Jitesh Sharma perfectly fits.
MORE: Asia Cup 2025: Complete schedule, dates, venues and teams
When is the Asia Cup starting?
The Asia Cup 2025 will kick-start on the 9th of September, while India will start off their campaign against the UAE on the 10th. India's opening encounter will be followed by the greatest rivalry against its arch-rival, Pakistan. The side will end their league stage against Oman.
READ: Who will open for India in Asia Cup 2025?
India is the reigning world T20 champions, and given the quality of their side, anything less than the Asia Cup title will surely leave the side disappointed.