Former India cricketer Kris Srikkanth has claimed that Sanju Samson has been made to bat at no. 5 in India XI in the Asia Cup 2025 just so that team management can make way for Shreyas Iyer’s comeback.
Samson was expected to warm the bench, and Jitesh Sharma would be selected ahead of him in the middle order before the game against the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Samson's spot was in doubt when Shubman Gill was announced as the vice-captain of the Asia Cup team. It seemed inevitable that he would start the batting with Abhishek Sharma. But head coach Gautam Gambhir and skipper Suryakumar Yadav decided to maintain continuity and give Samson a chance.
Samson has scored three T20I hundreds in the past year, all as an opener, demonstrating his incredible form. But how he performs in the middle order is still up in the air. Sanju has only scored 62 runs at No. 5 in his international T20 career at an average of 20.62, but he has scored 522 runs, at the top.
“I somehow feel by making Sanju bat at 5, they are making way for Shreyas Iyer to return to the side. Sanju hasn’t batted much at 5, and he shouldn’t bat at that position either. It will dent his confidence batting at No. 5. I am not too happy for him.
To Sanju, I would warn him by saying that this is his last chance. I would also tell him if he fails to score in the next three innings at this position, Shreyas Iyer will replace him,” said Srikkanth on his YouTube channel.
Srikkanth further questioned Samson's ability to finish games, claiming that Shivam Dube and Hardik Pandya are more suited for that position.
“They are playing Sanju Samson in the middle order. Are they going to use him as the finisher? No. That’ll be Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube. So, Samson will play at 5. Will he deliver? That’s a question mark. You’ve accommodated Sanju Samson ahead of Jitesh Sharma. It is fine for this Asia Cup, but what will happen in the T20 World Cup?” he added.
India will next face Pakistan in the Asia Cup on Sunday, September 14, at the Dubai International Stadium.
