Former Indian player Mohammed Kaif has backed Samson to be India's number 3 in Asia Cup 2025. The Kerala keeper-batter, who earlier played the role of an opener over the last year, has lost that place at the top of the order to a comeback-ing Shubman Gill. Before the 8-country tournament, Kaif believes Samson should bat at position 3 while Tilak Varma might wait his turn. In a video on his YouTube page, Kaif had detailed that India required an experienced Samson at number 3 and that the team must prepare him by providing him opportunities at the position. He noted that the T20 World Cup was only months away and that the Kerala star deserved an opportunity. Kaif added that Tilak was young and therefore could wait for his time. Here is what Kaif said: “Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill will open (in the Asia Cup). For the No. 3 spot, I feel Tilak Varma is a youngster and can wait for his turn. Sanju is an experienced batter, and he could be groomed by giving him consistent opportunities at No. 3. There is a World Cup after six months, and he deserves a chance,” Also Read | Suresh Raina Picks His All-Time CSK IPL XI, Leaves One Legendary Player Although Samson has played at number 3 in just 3 T20Is, he boasts extensive experience of playing at the position in the shortest form of the game. The Kerala keeper-batter has played 133 out of 291 innings batting at no.3 in T20s and has scored 4136 runs. His average batting at that position is 35.65, significantly higher than his career average of 29.68. Samson has achieved three hundreds and 31 fifties at that position. Tilak and Samson had an incredible run in the last calendar year. While Sanju emerged as the sole Indian to slam three centuries in T20Is in a year, Varma had to settle for two to his credit.