Indian wicket-keeper batsman Sanju Samson has adapted to a new role in the middle order in the Kerala Cricket League after his previous batting position as an opener in the Indian T20I side was likely to get snubbed with Shubman Gill’s comeback.
Sanju Samson has been one of India’s premier batters in the shortest format of the game since he has been the centrepiece of the team since Rohit Sharma retired from T20Is. Though having made his debut back in 2015, Sanju hit his prime for the Men in Blue last year in 2024 when he was promoted up the order by new coach Gautam Gambhir.
In the last international season, Sanju amassed lots of runs for India as an opener and went on to score 3 international hundreds, with 2 hundreds coming on South African soil. He has revolutionized the Indian opening wicket stand alongside partner Abhishek Sharma.
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Sanju Samson drops new batting role update ahead of Asia Cup
Sanju Samson emerged as India’s first-choice wicket-keeper in T20s in the absence of Rishabh Pant and has also fired as an opening batsman. However, fortunately for him, Pant has missed the Asia Cup owing to injury, which makes him a crucial member of the squad.
With the return of seasoned batter Shubman Gill to the T20I side, Samson is not likely to retain his place as an Indian opener; however, as a vital player to the side in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, he is expected to be seen in a new role in the side.
A glimpse of a change in position has already been displayed by Samson in the ongoing Kerala Cricket League on Thursday. The batter showed his willingness to be demoted down the order, as he expected to open for the Kochi Blue Tigers and chose to bat down the order at no. 5.
Though Samson did not get to bat in the position against the Adani Trivandrum Royals, his team-first approach was highlighted through this new role adoption.
Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma to form new opening duo
The Asia Cup is likely to mark Shubman Gill’s return as the Indian opener in the shortest format, a decision that raised a few eyebrows, since many cited Yashasvi Jaiswal over Gill in the T20I format.
However, Shubman Gill paired alongside Abhishek Sharma would mean Sanju Samson’s exit from the opening spot. However, Sanju has to adopt new roles as Gill cannot bat down the order.
The no. 3 has been a spot where both Sanju Samson and, often, Shubman Gill have relished batting in; however, Tilak Varma, with his commendable performances, has seemingly occupied the position. Hence, Samson would only have to play at 5 or 6.
‘Samson’s value to the team goes beyond a single batting position,’ concludes Ajinkya Rahane
Recently, former Mumbai skipper Ajinkya Rahane, who has shared the Rajasthan Royals dressing room with Sanju, shared his importance in the Indian team and also acknowledged that the team’s combination is changing with Gill’s arrival.
Rahane indicated that Gill and Abhishek would form the opening duo, while he also stressed the fact that Sanju Samson is both confident and dependable as a player in any batting position. He highlighted that Samson’s value to the Indian team is beyond any single batting position.
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