India, Sept. 9 -- India head coach Gautam Gambhir, who has long spoken highly of Sanju Samson, handed the wicketkeeper-batter a fresh lease of life in T20Is after taking charge post the T20 World Cup last June. The Kerala star repaid the faith with three centuries in his last 10 innings. Yet, Monday's evening net session at the ICC Cricket Academy Arena in Dubai hinted that Samson may not find a place in the XI for the Asia Cup opener against hosts UAE at the Dubai International Stadium on Thursday.

Samson was the first player to enter the arena when India reached the venue on the eve of the start of the continental tournament in the UAE. He started with solo wicketkeeping drills under the watchful eyes of fielding coach T Dilip, and eve...