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The saga surrounding Sanju Samson's place in the Indian T20I squad is a recurring theme in Indian cricket discussions. Once considered an outsider, Samson has finally received a consistent run in the format, a development celebrated by fans and commentators alike, who had long lamented his exclusion. Following the 2024 T20 World Cup, Samson featured in 17 matches, the second-most for India in that period, seemingly solidifying his position, especially after forging a promising opening partnership with Abhishek Sharma. His performance, marked by 487 runs, including three centuries, at an impressive strike rate of 171, suggested that he had finally unlocked his potential. However, the narrative has taken an unexpected turn with the return of Shubman Gill to the T20I side as vice-captain under Suryakumar Yadav. Gill's inclusion threatens to disrupt the established top order, with Gill likely to reclaim his opening slot. While the certainty of Gill's inclusion remains a point of debate, the prevailing sentiment suggests that Samson might be the one to make way. This raises the critical question: Is this the end of the road for Samson? The answer, according to many, isn't a definitive yes. If Samson is willing to emulate KL Rahul's adaptability, he can still secure a place in the playing XI. Abhishek Sharma, on the other hand, appears to be a confirmed starter, with Chief selector Ajit Agarkar's announcement on Tuesday reinforcing this notion. The left-handed opener has embodied modern T20 batting, displaying aggressive intent and providing India with explosive starts. His high-risk approach has yielded consistent results, as evidenced by his 535 runs in 17 matches at a remarkable strike rate of 193 since the last T20 World Cup. Contrarily, Samson experienced a dip in form during IPL 2025, partly due to injury concerns. He also struggled in a five-match T20I series against England earlier in the year, finding it difficult to cope with the pace of the visiting bowlers. While a single lean patch shouldn't warrant his exclusion, Gill's return has inevitably altered the dynamics of the team selection.
Former India wicketkeeper Deep Dasgupta believes Gill will replace Samson in the opening slot. Speaking to India Today, Dasgupta emphasized that Samson should understand the decision isn't personal but rather a strategic move to optimize team balance. He highlights the importance of a left-right batting combination at the top, praising Abhishek Sharma's outstanding performance and current world ranking. Dasgupta sees no compelling reason to shift Abhishek from his position. Moreover, Dasgupta suggests that if Gill replaces Samson, Jitesh Sharma should be preferred as the wicketkeeper-finisher. Jitesh has returned to the T20I squad after a successful IPL 2025 season with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, where he excelled as a lower-order power-hitter for the title-winning team. Dasgupta argues that Jitesh's ability to strike at a high rate from the first ball is crucial, especially in the lower middle order. He contends that if the choice is between an opener-cum-wicketkeeper and a No. 6-7 wicketkeeper, he would prefer the latter, citing the need for flexibility and power-hitting at the end. While acknowledging that Samson can also bat in the middle order, Dasgupta believes Jitesh provides a more specialized skill set in that role. This raises the question of whether Samson will be relegated to the role of backup opener in the lead-up to the next World Cup. If Gill focuses more on the shortest format, Samson's opportunities might diminish.
However, not everyone agrees with this assessment. Batting legend Sunil Gavaskar told India Today that he wouldn't exclude Samson solely because of Gill's return. Gavaskar believes Samson's talent allows him to adapt to various roles within the team and suggests that he can bat at No. 5 or 6. He emphasizes that Samson shouldn't be left out, particularly because he is a wicketkeeper. Gavaskar considers Samson a gifted player capable of adapting to different situations. He believes that Samson is accustomed to batting down the order and that there is no need to worry about his ability to adjust. Gavaskar highlights the importance of versatility, drawing parallels with KL Rahul's career. Rahul, who was initially India's primary opener, embraced middle-order responsibilities in the lead-up to the 2023 ODI World Cup and excelled as a finisher. More recently, he accepted a middle-order role in Tests and subsequently seized the opportunity to reclaim an opening slot in Australia, even prompting Rohit Sharma to move down the order to accommodate him. Versatility, though challenging, is a valuable asset. Rahul has demonstrated the ability to adapt, and Samson, widely regarded as one of the most gifted batters of his generation, is also believed to possess the potential to do so.
The crucial question remains: Can Samson successfully reinvent himself as a middle-order force in T20Is? The statistics present a mixed picture. Samson has enjoyed a career resurgence as an opener in T20Is, accumulating 512 runs at an average of nearly 40 and a strike rate of 182. However, he has also batted lower down the order, featuring at No. 4 or 5 on 16 occasions in T20Is, but with only one fifty and a strike rate in the 130s. Conversely, in the IPL, Samson has predominantly batted in the middle order, occupying the No. 3 or 4 position in 130 out of his 149 innings, amassing 3,096 runs at an average close to 40. His most productive position has been No. 3, where he has scored 3,096 runs in 94 innings. However, he has limited experience at No. 5 and 6 (three and six outings, respectively). Adapting to these roles at the international level will be a significant challenge. Samson may need to completely transform his game, adopting a high-impact approach from the first ball, similar to Jitesh Sharma's performance in IPL 2025. However, given the choice between being sidelined and embracing a new role, Samson would undoubtedly choose the latter. As Gavaskar rightly pointed out, Samson possesses the necessary talent to succeed if he receives clarity regarding his role within the team. Samson's career has been marked by ups and downs, mirroring the unpredictable nature of a T20 match. His next challenge, arguably the most significant yet, is to adapt, reinvent himself, and solidify his position as an indispensable member of the Indian T20I squad.
Source: Asia Cup: Can Sanju Samson do a KL Rahul to stay indispensable in T20Is?