Follow UsShubman Gill’s return completely revamped India’s batting order for the Asia Cup 2025, as the management was forced to break the deadly Abhishek Sharma-Sanju Samson opening pair. During the last year, the pair had immense success, with Samson smashing three centuries as an opener in 2024, two of which came in South Africa.
Combine that with Jitesh Sharma’s selection, there were even serious questions over whether Samson would feature in India’s first-choice playing XI. However, when the Men in Blue took the field in the clash against the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Samson was slated to bat at No.5, an unfamiliar territory for the Kerala batter.
It didn’t go down well with former Indian selector Kris Srikkanth, who slammed the selectors for denting Samson’s confidence by batting him at No.5.
“I somehow feel by making Sanju bat at 5, they are making way for Shreyas Iyer to return to the side. Sanju hasn’t batted much at 5, and he shouldn’t bat at that position either. It will dent his confidence batting at No. 5. I am not too happy for him," said Srikkanth on his YouTube channel.
Srikkanth also fired warning shots at the Rajasthan Royals’ skipper, insisting that Shreyas Iyer could replace him if he doesn’t do well over the next three innings.
"To Sanju, I would warn him by saying that this is his last chance. I would also tell him if he fails to score in the next three innings at this position, Shreyas Iyer will replace him," he added.
More than just his batting position, the former Indian opener was concerned about Samson’s role in the current side, given the presence of both Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube.
“They are playing Sanju Samson in the middle-order. Are they going to use him as the finisher? No. That’ll be Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube. So, Samson will play at 5. Will he deliver? That’s a question mark," said Srikkanth.
"You’ve accommodated Sanju Samson ahead of Jitesh Sharma. It is fine for this Asia Cup, but what will happen in the T20 World Cup?” he added.
India's next challenge will be against Pakistan on September 14 (Sunday), a clash that could determine which team finishes top in the group.