New Delhi: Following the announcement of the Asia Cup squad for Team India, former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif backed the return of Shubman Gill into the T20Is set-up as a vice-captain, though he added that it makes Sanju Samson's chances of cracking into the final eleven "tough".

Gill's entry into the T20Is set up after over a year of a heavy schedule of red-ball cricket and ODIs was a massive talking point coming out of the squad announcement. With his entry as a vice-captain, he is guaranteed to play all the matches, which means the top-order currently occupied and well-settled by Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Tilak Varma, and skipper Suryakumar Yadav is up for a change.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Kaif said about Samson, "I think Sanju Samson's place in the XI is tough. Like they said, when the team reaches the UAE, they will see how the teams and players are performing. In that way, the XI will be made. If Sanju Samson cannot come in the top 4, which I believe at the moment. There will be Gill and Abhishek Sharma to open. Tilak Varma will play at number three; his record is brilliant for India. And Suryakumar Yadav will come in at number four."

Since last year's T20 World Cup win, Samson has delivered solid returns at the top, with 417 runs in 12 innings at an average of 37.90, an explosive strike rate of 183.70 and three centuries. However, during the five T20Is against England, during which he could score just 51 in five innings, he was found out against the short-ball ploy by English pacers. With five scores of 20-plus in this run, Samson has been a 'feast or famine' batter.

Kaif said that if Samson is not playing, Jitesh Sharma, who had a dream season with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) could bat at number five or six.

"He shows good performance at 5 and 6. He recently helped RCB win the trophy. He had form with the bat, so he goes ahead because Gill becoming vice-captain and opening with Abhishek Sharma is a warning sign for Sanju Samson. He might not get a chance in the playing XI," the former Indian cricketer said.

Meanwhile, Jitesh has been chosen as a back-up wicketkeeper-batter for Sanju Samson, who found a new lease of life as a T20I opener for Team India with three centuries in a quick succession. Meanwhile Jitesh shined for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in their Indian Premier League (IPL) win for the first time this year, scoring 261 runs in 11 innings at an average of 37.28 and a strike rate of 176.35, with a crucial 85* against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and a quickfire 24 in 10 balls during the final against Punjab Kings (PBKS).

Kaif said that Gill has been appointed as a vice-captain because he has leadership qualities, as evident during a brilliant tour of England, where he scored 754 runs in five matches with four centuries and led the team to a 2-2 draw, without legends like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Ravichandran Ashwin.

"He scored runs with the bat,” Kaif said about the Indian Test skipper. 

Meanwhile, cricket fans are eagerly awaiting to know India’s final ‘working’ combination for the Asia Cup, as there are a lot of rumours and speculations doing the rounds. (ANI)