Follow UsWhen Shubman Gill was picked as India’s vice-captain for the Asia Cup 2025, it was clear that Sanju Samson might have to find a home at some other position. But for someone who has long batted at the top of the order in T20s, the Kerala batter was given the task of batting at No.5, a tricky position.
Thus far, it has shown in his game, as the right-hander could only score 13 in his first real test at the No.5 position against Pakistan, on September 21 (Sunday). In the aftermath of his performance, there has been doubts over whether the Kerala batter could pull off that role.
However, India’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate feels otherwise, stating that Samson is still figuring out the role.
"There's two outings now, two decent chances and he's still figuring out how to play that role," ten Doeschate said of Samson in the middle order, reported ESPNCricinfo.
In the clash against Pakistan, Samson walked out when the game was all but done, with Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill putting on a stellar 105-run partnership at the top of the order. He couldn’t affect the game much, with a 17-ball 13.
"I think the wicket was a little bit tired in the Pakistan game. But certainly with the way Shubman [Gill] and Abhi [Abhishek Sharma] are going at the top and you've got your captain batting at three and the way Tilak's [Verma] played, we're really looking for a No. 5. So we believe Sanju is the best man for that job and we've got no doubt that he'll figure out how to play that role in the future."
On the clash against Bangladesh, ten Doeschate feels that the team can’t afford to take their ‘foot’ off the pedal, and wants them to be clinical against a tricky opponent.
"But certainly now with the format of this competition, four games, two wins doesn't even guarantee you going through. So it's not like you can take your foot off the pedal at any time and that's been an unfortunate consequence of what we're trying to achieve by trying guys in different positions."