There is no selection meeting in the Indian cricket, without the name of Sanju Samson provoking a debate. Once a permanent outsider was, the Keral star was finally conistent in the T20is, which is to relieve fans, including Member of Shashi Tharoor, who had forgotten his long.
Since the last World Cup T20 in 2024, however, Samson has played 17 matches for India in format-Druhý-Něvíce player. For a while, Wicketkeeper-Bater seemed to have created a successful opening partnership with Abhishek Shama and strengthened its place for the next year’s World Cup. With 487 runs, including three hundred, in a hit of 171, Samson seemed to burst. But there is a twist in the story.
Return to SHUBMAN GILLA to the T20i side As more captain under Suryakumar Yadav has complicated matters. What looked like a well -oiled highest order is now set to change, with Gill most likely gaining the regeneration of the opening slot.
Whether Gill’s integration is guaranteed remains the subject of the debate, but the hints are that Samson could be the one who went. Is it the end of the road for him? Not completely. If Samson is willing to do what KLAL has done once, he could still find himself firmly in XI. More about it a little.
For the time being, Abhishek Sharma looks like a starter. The main selector Ajit Agarkar confirmed more or less while announcing the group on Tuesday. The left -hand opener embodied the launch of the new T20 age, threw caution in the wind and gave India to rapid beginnings. It is important that its high -risk approach also brought consistency – 535 runs in 17 matches at a strike of 193 since the last World Cup T20.
Meanwhile, Samson endured immersion in the form of IPL 2025, disturbed by injury concerns. At the beginning of this year, he also fought in a series of five T20i matches against England, returning at the pace of guest hosts. One slim run is not a justification for him completely, but Gill’s return inevitably transformed the equation.
Samson back to the bench?
Former Indian Wicketkeeper Deep Dasgupta is convinced that Gill will replace Samson. Dasgupta talked to India today and stressed that Samson had maturity to understand that the challenge is not a personal but a matter of team balance.
“I think he (Gill) opens. I think it will open instead of Sanju Samson. It is important to have a left -wing combination in this format in this form.
Dasgupta, now decorated with a commentator, added that he would prefer Jitesh Sharm like Wicketkeeper-Finish if Gill replaces Samson. Jitesh is back in T20i fold After the Stellar IPL 2025 with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, where he excelled as an attacker of the lower order on the victory side.
“Sanja, no, not that he did something wrong, but then, your choice is between Sanja and someone like Jitesh, who could complete the games. If you look at 5, 6, 7, there is one area with a tab in No. 5, you need another one who is able to have a strike over 180 in the first five misses.
“For me, if I had to choose an opening cylinder or goal 6-7, I’d rather do six seven.
Bats Sunil Gavascar for Samson
Does this mean that Samson will be limited to the role of a backup opening in preparation for the World Cup next year? If Gill focuses more on the shortest format in the coming months, Samson’s chances could actually be reduced.
But not everyone agrees. Batting Great Sunil Gavascar told India today that Samson will not leave just because Gill is back. Gavascar believes that Samson’s quality allows him to adapt to any role in XI.
“He can still be on the team when someone triggers an order. He can bat in 5 or 6. He shouldn’t be omitted; after all, it’s a goal. Sanju is a very gifted player; he can adapt.
“He is used to launching the order, we should not worry too much, it is a class act,” Gavascar said.
That is exactly Kind of flexibility has shown Kl Rahul prolong his international career. From the fact that he was an Indian opener, Rahul accepted the responsibility of the middle order in recruiting at the ODI World Championship and excelled as a finisher. Recently he has accepted the role of the middle order in tests, just to take the opportunity to get the opening slot in Australia, where Rohit Sharma moved the order to stay.
Versatility is never easy. Rahul showed that he had a class for it. Samson is also widely recognized as one of the most gifted doughs of its generation.
Samson’s numbers in the middle order
But can it really reappear as the strength of the middle order in the T20is? The numbers are mixed.
Samson had an average of almost 40 and a strike of 182 as an opener in T20is – 512 runs. He fired on No. 4 or 5 on 16 occasions in the T20is, but with only fifty and strike at the age of 13.
In IPL, however, Samson played mostly in the middle order. He entered No. 3 or 4 at 130 of his 149 shifts and accumulated 3,096 runs on average almost 40. His most productive position was No. 3, with 3,096 runs in 94 shifts.
In No. 5 and 6, he had only a handful of trips (three and six). Adaptation to these roles at international level will not be a small task. Samson may have to completely change his game, come and shoot from Ball One – like Jitesh Sharma in IPL 2025.
But given the selection between sessions and the acceptance of a new role, Samson would certainly decide on others. And as Gavascar correctly emphasized, the man has sufficient quality to work if he receives the brightness of the role.
Samson’s career emerged and flowed like the T20 match itself. Another challenge, perhaps the biggest ever – adapt, rediscovery and remain indispensable.
– ends
Published:
Saurabh Kumar
Published on:
August 21, 2025
