• Source:JND
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IND vs BAN, Asia Cup: Indian wicketkeeper batter Sanju Samson has likened himself to the superstar of Malayalam cinema Mohanlal Viswanathan for accepting a change in the batting slot in the Indian men’s T20I team. Ahead of the India vs Bangladesh Super four encounter, Samson stated that he needs to be like the Malayalam maestro and should accept every role that comes his way for the country.

Interestingly, he stated that he can't be a hero for every film. He should be willing to play the 'villain' or a 'joker' as well.

Former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar, who is part of the commentary panel for the ongoing Asia Cup 2025, asked him about the change in his batting order.

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“See, there’s our actor, Mohanlal, who got a big award from the Indian government. He has been an actor for 20 years. I have been playing for India for 10 years. So, I can’t come in and say I want to do the ‘hero’ role every time. I can do the villain role, and I can also do the Joker role for my country," Samson said on Sony Sports Network.

Notably, Samson has only batted twice in the ongoing Asia Cup 2025, with a fifty under his belt, which he scored against Oman. Notably, he scored that fifty as he was promoted to number three.

After years of inconsistency, Samson found a new lease of life as an opener last year in the Indian T20I set-up, having scored 487 runs in 17 matches and 16 innings at an average of 171.47, with three centuries and a fifty. 

Bangladesh stand-in skipper Jaker Ali won the toss and elected to bowl against India in the Asia Cup Super 4s match here on Wednesday.

Also Read: IND vs BAN Live Cricket Score, Asia Cup 2025 Super Four

India: Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson(w), Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy.

Bangladesh: Saif Hassan, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Parvez Hossain Emon, Towhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Jaker Ali(w/c), Mohammad Saifuddin, Rishad Hossain, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Nasum Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman.