Sanju Samson batted in middle order in Asia Cup with Shubman and Abhishek opening the innings.
India T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav spoke about his chat with coach Gautam Gambhir about keeper-batter Sanju Samson’s changing role in the Asia Cup 2025 tournament. With Shubman Gill and Jitesh Sharma coming into the India squad, Surya and Gambhir had to discuss Samson’s role as well.
He revealed that many felt that Sanju’s place in the playing XI might be under threat with the arrival of Gill and Jitesh in the Indian squad.
“Everyone thought that with Shubman and Jitesh coming into the team, Sanju might not open or even get his place. But in my mind, it never crossed my mind that he wouldn’t play. In the very first practice session, he was behind the nets, and Gautam Bhai and I were discussing him. Gautam said he has done so well in the last 10–15 T20s.
We just told him that his batting position might change and he may get fewer balls, but his impact has to remain. Whenever he comes out to bat, he should think about how to make the most of it for the team,” Suryakumar told journo Vimal Kumar.
Sanju accepted the challenge and proved his worth. He was India's third-highest run-scorer in the Asia Cup, after Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma, including a fighting fifty against Oman and a valuable cameo in the final against Pakistan.
His continuous performances were recently acknowledged when he was named CEAT T20 Batter of the Year.
Speaking at the CEAT Awards, Sanju opened up about his emotional journey in international cricket.
“Someone like me who kept working silently and patiently and kept putting in the work mentally and physically with all the challenges and obstacles in front of me but always focused on the process and my inner self instead of the outside noises, after a long wait of 10 years, when I got the opportunity, I was able to score three match-winning centuries in the span of five T20 international matches,” he said.
“When you wear that Indian jersey, I think you can’t say no to anything. I have worked very hard to wear the jersey and, more importantly, to stay in that dressing room. I’ll take great pride in doing a job for my country. So even if they want to bat me at number nine or bowl some left-hand spin, I’m happy to do that as well,” he stated about his dedication to the Indian team.
Sanju Samson will be in action when India tours Australia for five T20Is.