Ravichandran Ashwin, the former India spinner, has weighed in on Sanju Samson's exclusion from the playing XI in the recent T20I series against South Africa, suggesting that Shubman Gill's elevation to vice-captaincy has significantly impacted Samson's chances. Gill's return to the T20I side and subsequent appointment as vice-captain ahead of the 2025 Asia Cup seemingly solidified his position in the top order, making it difficult for Samson to find a place in the team.
Ashwin addressed the ongoing discussions surrounding Samson's exclusion, acknowledging the persistent question of whether the Kerala-born cricketer has been given a fair run in the team. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin stated, "The moment Shubman Gill came into the side, and as a vice-captain, Sanju was always going to find it difficult to get into the XI". He further added that Samson hasn't had enough opportunities to play at No. 5, and Jitesh Sharma is already in the squad for his finishing abilities. According to Ashwin, if Samson is to be included, he should ideally bat at No. 3, where he can be more effective against spin.
Shubman Gill's return to the T20I setup after recovering from a neck injury sustained during the Test series against South Africa has been marked by his appointment as vice-captain. Gill's fitness was confirmed by the BCCI Centre of Excellence, paving the way for his inclusion in the squad for the five-match T20I series. Gill's credentials in the Indian Premier League (IPL), where he has scored a lot of runs for the Gujarat Titans, also support his selection in the T20I side.
Samson's recent performances have been a mixed bag. While he has shown glimpses of brilliance, consistency has been a concern. In his T20 career, Samson has played 51 matches and scored 995 runs with an average of 26, including 3 centuries and 3 half-centuries. His most recent T20 match was against Australia in October 2025, where he scored 2 runs off 4 balls. In ODIs, he has played 16 matches, scoring 510 runs with an average of 57, including one century and three half-centuries.
Jitesh Sharma, who has been preferred over Samson in the playing XI, has impressed with his finishing abilities, both for India and Baroda. He played a crucial role in India's victories against Australia, scoring an unbeaten 22 off 13 balls in Hobart and a quick 10 off 5 deliveries in Cuttack.
Ashwin also empathized with the selectors, acknowledging that selection is a challenging job, especially when it comes to leaving players out. He also expressed his sadness for Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shreyas Iyer, who were excluded to bring in Shubman Gill.
Former BCCI selector Salil Ankola revealed that Shubman Gill was being considered for captaincy since 2023, recognizing his leadership potential early on. Gill already leads India in Tests and ODIs, and is expected to replace Suryakumar Yadav as T20I captain after the next World Cup.
