Follow UsShubman Gill’s return as vice-captain to India’s T20I squad shakes up things for Sanju Samson. Over the last year, Samson has been a constant presence in India’s playing XI alongside Abhishek Sharma.
However, now Samson’s spot looks in danger, with Gill slated to open alongside Abhishek. Indian great Sunil Gavaskar backed Samson in the playing XI, stating that the Kerala wicketkeeper could bat at No.3 in the starting stages of the Asia Cup 2025.
“You don’t take someone like Sanju Samson as a reserve,” Gavaskar told a group of journalists, reported Hindustan Times. “If he’s part of your core team, he should be playing. He can slot in at No.3, or if needed, lower down as a finisher.
“My sense is that Samson will get the nod ahead of Jitesh, at least for the first couple of matches. What happens after that will depend on form,” he said.
What advantage does India have in playing Samson? Gavaskar reckoned that it would give the lower order more flexibility and power in the presence of Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya, who can be used as floaters.
“But that is why I think maybe they might even be thinking in terms of having him (Samson) at number three and having Tilak as a finisher at five or six. Because Hardik (Pandya) is in your team as well. So, Hardik will probably be batting at five or six again.”
But as it stands, Samson is in danger of losing his spot to the in-form Jitesh Sharma, who played a crucial role in RCB’s maiden Indian Premier League win. The wicketkeeper batter played an attacking brand of cricket, smashing the ball all around the park, making him a perfect fit as a No.6 in India’s T20I lineup, with 261 runs at a strike rate of 176.35 in IPL 2025.
"Yes, I think it's a very good headache to have for any selection committee that you have two capable batters and somebody like Sanju Samson who can maybe even bat at three and if needed come down at six as a finisher," Gavaskar said.
"And Jitesh has also done well in the recently concluded IPL, where he's played exceedingly well. So yes, I think it's a pleasant headache for the tour selection committee," he added.