The return of Shubman Gill in India’s T20I side meant time was up for Sanju Samson. Abhishek Sharma remained the designated opener along with Gill for Asia Cup 2025. While many fans and some experts believed it would be the end of Samson in favour of specialist Jitesh Sharma in the lower order, it hasn’t been the case. Captain Suryakumar Yadav and coach Gautam Gambhir have trusted Samson in a new role, at No 5. But the question remains, will he continue in the new role beyond Asia Cup?
After not getting to face even a single ball against the UAE and Pakistan, Samson finally got a chance against Oman, but not at No 5. Gambhir rotated the batting order, promoting Samson to No 3 to get some gametime. Samson did not let that opportunity go, playing 45 deliveries against Oman to score 56 runs. While he got the player of the match award for India’s win, it was by no means a fluent knock. It was scratchy. Samson had 54% control in the entire knock. But with Abu Dhabi’s heat and humidity, Samson could be excused.
Still unproven
While it won’t be fair to judge Sanju Samson based on one innings in the Asia Cup, he remains unproven. He batted at his preferred top order and scored a sluggish fifty against a not-so-strong opponent. In fact, he has played the most at No 3, averaging 35.82 in 134 innings in T20s. He also has three centuries and 32 fifties. Samson is a proven top order batter. What about middle-order?
Beyond No 3, things look different for Samson. At No 4, Samson’s strike rate drops to 129.90 and his batting average dips to 22.63 after playing 65 innings. But that spot is occupied by T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav. As Tilak Varma is likely to continue at No 3, the next best option is No 5. But his stats at No 5 paint a sorry picture.
Sanju Samson has averaged just 12.00 at No 5, playing only 11 innings. In those 11 innings, he managed 5 single-digit scores and a duck. In fact, his highest score is just 30 at that position. And the lower he goes, the worst his stats get. Hence, he remains only a top order choice or at best at No 4. Beyond that, India could prefer Rishabh Pant, Jitesh Sharma or someone like Dhruv Jurel.
Sanju Samson’s batting stats by position
| Pos | Inns | Runs | HS | Avg | SR | 100 | 50 | Ducks | Single-digit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opening | 69 | 1922 | 111 | 29.56 | 144.83 | 3 | 11 | 10 | 15 |
| No 3 | 134 | 4192 | 119 | 35.82 | 137.66 | 3 | 32 | 5 | 29 |
| No 4 | 65 | 1290 | 60 | 22.63 | 129.90 | 0 | 6 | 8 | 17 |
| No 5 | 11 | 108 | 30* | 12.00 | 128.57 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 |
| No 6 | 10 | 128 | 30 | 16.00 | 100.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| No 7 | 2 | 40 | 21 | 20.00 | 117.64 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Will Sanju Samson be India’s new No 5?
Many believed India would pick Jitesh Sharma for the Oman match. And even if Samson gets a chance in the top order, it would be temporary. That belief still stands. In the second round of IND vs PAK match, Suryakumar Yadav would return to No 4 and Tilak Varma at No 3. Samson’s promotion to No 3 was just an exercise to give him some crucial time in the middle.
However, by promoting Samson to No 3 and not opting for Jitesh Sharma, Gautam Gambhir also sent a clear message. He would want to have Samson in India Playing XI, at least for the remainder of Asia Cup 2025. Otherwise, it would have been an easy call to have Jitesh at No 7. But the team management decided against it. But will that policy continue beyond the Asia Cup?
That would be a difficult question. After the Asia Cup, India’s next 15 matches would be crucial. It would determine India’s squad and Playing XI for T20 World Cup. With Gill set to be a regular fixture as the vice-captain, Sanju Samson will need to reinvent himself at No 5 or beyond to make the squad for T20 World Cup. India’s next assignment against Australia would be crucial. If Samson plays all five matches, it would determine whether India would look at Jitesh or Rishabh in the series against South Africa and New Zealand. And if Samson fails to fire at No 5 or beyond, it would be almost impossible for him to make the India Playing XI for T20 World Cup.
With four matches left in the Asia Cup and the five T20Is against Australia, Samson’s time is ticking. IND vs PAK match on Sunday could be a good opportunity if he gets to bat.
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