In or out? Sanju Samson has spent his better days thinking over his place in India’s Playing XI. While not many expected Samson to find a place in the India XI against UAE in the Asia Cup 2025 opener, Gautam Gambhir managed a place for him, but at No 5. Although Samson did not get a chance to bat as Indian bowlers crushed the UAE, bowling them out for just 57 runs, former chief selector Krishnamachari Srikkanth has a warning message for the Kerala star. He believes Samson is made to play at No 5 so that India can make way for Shreyas Iyer in the T20I XI.
Despite an excellent IPL 2025 season, Shreyas Iyer could not break into the India T20I side for Asia Cup. With Shubman Gill also coming back in as the opener, Samson had to find a new spot to compete in. While Iyer has mostly played at No 3 or 4 in T20s, he could still strengthen the batting at No 5 with his newfound power-hitting skills. And that could push Samson out in favour of Jitesh Sharma.
“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. 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 or three innings at this position, Shreyas Iyer will replace him,” Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel.
Sanju Samson in middle order
Primarily a top-order batter, Sanju Samson has to reinvent his skills to bat in the middle or lower middle order with no space in the Top 4. Not that Samson hasn’t tried his luck in the middle order. But he has been abysmal. At No 5 or below, Samson has averaged just 14.52 in 23 innings and has a strike rate of just 112.19 in T20s and T20Is combined. His highest score at No 5 or below is 30.
However, at No 1-4, Samson can rival any T20I batter. He has scored six centuries in the top order. And ever since he was promoted as the India opener in T20Is, he struck at 160.84.
“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. 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?” Srikkanth questioned.
Shreyas Iyer vs Sanju Samson in middle order
| Player | Mat | Inns | Runs | HS | Avg | SR | 100/50 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shreyas Iyer | 34 | 30 | 526 | 67 | 25.04 | 128.92 | 0/3 |
| Sanju Samson | 33 | 23 | 276 | 30* | 14.52 | 112.19 | 0/0 |
While Samson has struggled at No 5 or below, Shreyas Iyer hasn’t had the best outings either. In T20 cricket, Iyer has averaged 25.04 between No 5 and 7, striking at just 128.92. However, he is slightly ahead of Samson. He has scored three fifties.
However, neither of the two have had good strike rate at the position. Instead, someone like Haridk Pandya or Axar Patel have done the job better. Even Rinku Singh has flourished at No 5. As things stand, Samson at No 5 seems to be a temporary solution. Jitesh Sharma would fit right in at No 6 or 7 as a finisher. And that could end Samson’s T20 World Cup hopes. But if Samson can improve his stats in limited opportunities that would ocme to him, India could find a place for him in the middle order.
