His supporters cheered and chanted, and Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav had a startling response. The first practice session for the Indian cricket team was held on Saturday in anticipation of the Asia Cup 2025 in Dubai. As the team practices their lineups for the competition, Sanju Samson was the talk of the town outside the ICC Academy.
The team skipped a domestic preparatory camp and arrived straight in Dubai on September 4. The team has held several practices at the ICC Academy under the direction of head coach Gautam Gambhir, concentrating on batting positions, bowling combinations, and wicketkeeping choices. The competition is scheduled to start on September 9; the Men in Blue will play the hosts, the United Arab Emirates, on September 10 before facing Pakistan in the main event on September 14.
“Bhaukal hai Samson ka, local boy,” added Suryakumar, who was clearly taken aback by the fans’ devotion to the wicket-keeper batsman.
A sizable contingent of fans gathered to welcome Suryakumar, Samson, and Rinku Singh as they made their way to the team bus after one of India’s practice sessions. Samson’s chants were captured in the now-viral video as supporters pressed the Kerala batter for photographs and autographs. Samson then showed his appreciation for them by signing autographs and posing for photos.
View the video below:
😂📸 | Gill’s face when the crowd goes
“SAAAM-SOOON! SAAAM-SOOON!”
Crowd love hits different when it’s for Sanju 💙👑#SanjuSamson #Gill #IndianCricket #FanLove pic.twitter.com/nl2Iuk96Zz
— CRICKET CULTURE (@CRICCULTURE09) September 7, 2025
Samson will not be chosen over Jitesh Sharma.
Notably, there is uncertainty about the Kerala batter’s spot in the starting lineup. Samson and Jitesh Sharma are now directly competing for the wicketkeeping position since Shubman Gill has returned to open with Abhishek Sharma. The 31-year-old Jitesh has been supported during training sessions and frequently bats under Gambhir’s guidance. He had an outstanding IPL 2025 with Royal Challengers Bengaluru thanks to his finishing skills. Despite Samson’s recent purple patch, sources indicate that Jitesh may be selected in the middle-order finisher position based on observations from India’s nets.
India
