The recent exclusion of Sanju Samson from the playing XI in the third T20I against Australia in Hobart has ignited a debate surrounding the Kerala wicketkeeper-batter's role in the Indian team, with head coach Gautam Gambhir's handling of the situation coming under scrutiny.
Samson's omission from the crucial match, which India needed to win, raised eyebrows, especially after he had been given a consistent run of opportunities in the T20I side since Gambhir took over. While captain Suryakumar Yadav remained tight-lipped about the specific reason for Samson's exclusion, it appeared to be a tactical decision by the team management, with Jitesh Sharma taking over the wicketkeeping duties.
Gambhir's public statements regarding his backing of Samson have further fueled the discussion. Ahead of the Asia Cup 2025, Samson revealed that Gambhir and Yadav played vital roles in boosting his confidence during a challenging period. According to Samson, Gambhir had assured him that he would not be dropped unless he registered 21 ducks.
However, despite this apparent support, Samson has been shuffled around the batting order, particularly after Shubman Gill's return to the T20I setup for the Asia Cup. Having established himself as a successful opener, where he scored three centuries with an average close to 38 and a strike rate of 183.70 across 12 innings last year, Samson was subsequently pushed down the order.
This shift to the middle order has led to inconsistent performances, with Samson averaging under 27 in five innings at that position, including just one half-century. His overall T20I record stands at 995 runs in 51 matches, with a strike rate of 147.40, including three half-centuries and three centuries.
Former India captain Krishnamachari Srikkanth has been a vocal critic of Gambhir's handling of Samson, questioning the logic behind constantly changing his batting position despite his strong performances as an opener. Srikkanth suggested that Samson is being groomed as a middle-order batter for the 2026 T20 World Cup, but he also expressed concern about the impact of the constant shuffling on Samson's morale.
Statistics also suggest that Samson struggles in the middle order. His strike rate at number five in T20Is drops to 117.2, compared to his overall strike rate of 148.32. He has played only three IPL matches at number five, indicating that it is not his preferred position. Despite this, the Indian team management seems intent on utilizing his ability against spin in the middle overs.
The decision to drop Samson for the third T20I against Australia triggered a wave of reactions on social media, with fans blaming Gambhir and Yadav for the inconsistent treatment. Some have pointed out that Samson was dropped after performing well as an opener, only to be put in the middle order, where his performance was deemed average, before ultimately being dropped.
With the T20 World Cup on the horizon, the Indian team management faces a significant challenge in determining Samson's optimal role and ensuring that his talent is effectively utilized. The ongoing debate highlights the complexities of team selection and the importance of providing players with clarity and consistency in their roles.
