Asia Cup 2025: Samson, Bumrah Sit Out Optional Practice Ahead of Opener

India batter Sanju Samson and star fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah skipped the optional practice session ahead of India's Asia Cup 2025 opener against UAE. The Indian team held their practice session on Tuesday, September 9, a day ahead of their first match in the tournament. Abhishek Sharma dazzled in the session, hitting 30 sixes.

According to PTI, since it was an optional training day at the ICC Academy, senior players Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Sanju Samson, and pacer Harshit Rana chose to take a break. Leading up to the optional session, Sanju Samson was not given much practice with the main India batters, indicating that he might be snubbed from the India playing line-up.

Shubman Gill, who returned to India's T20I team in the Asia Cup, is likely to open the innings with his Punjab teammate and close friend Abhishek Sharma.

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Samson was India's registered opener in the T20I side over the past year but is likely to be benched. Jitesh Sharma, India's specialist finisher, is likely to take over the lower-middle order role and keep the wickets as well.

Abhishek Sharma Dazzles in Practice

The spotlight was firmly on Abhishek on Tuesday. The young left-hander didn’t muscle the ball much but relied on supreme hand-eye coordination to send deliveries soaring into the orbit, many landing well outside the practice facility.

Abhishek practically turned the nets into a “range-hitting” exhibition — a golf parlance often borrowed by cricket.

Over the course of an hour-long batting stint, he clobbered at least 25 to 30 sixes, making it nearly impossible for those watching to take their eyes off.

PTI reported that vice-captain Shubman Gill too looked in good touch, caressing quick bowlers inside-out over extra cover with his trademark grace. However, one thunderbolt from a local net bowler sneaked past his defences and uprooted the off-stump — a rare blemish in an otherwise polished session.