The name of Sanju Samson is grabbing all the headlines today (November 9) after a huge report broke out involving the Rajasthan Royals’ (RR) trade deal with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for a Samson-Ravindra Jadeja swap. While it is not confirmed yet, Samson might be in for a better future at CSK. However, it is his future for India that still remains in limbo even after making his international debut a decade ago.
Ten matches. That’s all India have left before the T20 World Cup 2026 begins. Yet, they still don’t know who their wicketkeeper-batter will be. Since the last edition, four players have been tried. Sanju Samson, Dhruv Jurel, Jitesh Sharma and Rishabh Pant but no one has managed to seal the spot. While Samson and Jitesh majorly are the two options remain in the scheme of things, neither is a sureshot starter as of now.
It was supposed to be Samson’s position to lose. The Rajasthan Royals captain looked like India’s long-term white-ball bet after a blistering 2024 season where he smashed three hundreds and a fifty at a strike rate near 170. But as soon as the team management decided Shubman Gill must open, Samson was pushed down the order. That shift has now led Samson to lose his form and eventually his place in the side too.
Sanju Samson’s problem is India-made
In an effort to make room for Gill, Samson was asked to bat anywhere from No. 3 to No. 7 from the Asia Cup 2025 onwards. For a player who thrives on against pace in the powerplay, it has been a frustrating ride. His T20I numbers this year are poor. He has scored 185 runs in 10 innings at an average of 18.50 and a strike rate of just 120.91, his lowest in a calendar year.
| Year | Innings | Runs | Highest | Average | SR | 100s | 50s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career | 43 | 995 | 111 | 25.51 | 147 | 3 | 3 | 56 |
| 2024 | 12 | 436 | 111 | 43.60 | 180 | 3 | 1 | 31 |
| 2025 | 10 | 185 | 56 | 18.50 | 120 | 0 | 1 | 10 |
Former cricketers have voiced their concerns too. Kris Srikkanth recently said, “You can’t expect a player to perform when you change his batting number every match. You’re spoiling his confidence.” And it shows. Samson looks unsure of his role. Sometimes asked to rebuild, like at the Asia Cup final against Pakistan and other times sent to slog. For a natural top-order player, that’s a mental maze no one wants before a World Cup.
The bigger problem, though, lies in India’s indecision. This Gautam Gambhir-led management likes to experiment a lot. The batting order below No. 3 has been a revolving door. Players like Axar Patel, Shivam Dube and even Harshit Rana have been floated up and down. Suryakumar Yadav’s own form is a major cause of issue. Tilak Varma didn’t shine against Australia either. While there can be reasons made that a high-quality batter should be flexible enough to bat anywhere the team wants, there are certain players who can hit that high ceiling only playing in their preferred slot.
Jitesh Sharma: India’s quiet X-factor
While Samson has struggled for consistency, Jitesh Sharma has emerged as a reminder of what India might actually need – a natural finisher. His strike rate in the IPL hovers above 170, and his cameos often tilt matches. In the third T20I against Australia in Hobart, he smashed 22 off 13 balls at No. 7, just an example that he fits his aggressive instincts perfectly.
Unlike Samson, Jitesh doesn’t need time to settle. He walks in at the death and swings hard from the start. Jitesh’s fearless style meshes perfectly with Gautam Gambhir’s philosophy, that only wants players to complete their roles. His glove work is tidy as well. More importantly, he offers something India haven’t had since Dinesh Karthik’s twilight years – a designated finisher who can double up as a wicketkeeper.
Jitesh Sharma’s T20 record (IPL)
| Season | Innings | Runs | HS | Av | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IPL Career | 47 | 991 | 85* | 25.41 | 157.05 |
| IPL 2025 (RCB) | 11 | 261 | 85* | 37.28 | 176.35 |
The final ten matches before the World Cup might be Samson’s last chance to prove he can adapt. But at this point, Jitesh seems the safer and more sensible option. If playing, Samson should not come below number four. India don’t need another floating batter; they need a role player who fits a system. And right now, that player looks a lot more like Jitesh Sharma than Sanju Samson.
