Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin believes Sanju Samson’s omission from the playing XI was inevitable following Shubman Gill’s return to the T20I side as vice-captain. With Gill taking on the leadership role ahead of the 2025 Asia Cup, Samson has largely been pushed into an unfamiliar position.
After delivering average performances in the middle order, Samson was dropped from the XI during the Australian tour. Meanwhile, Jitesh Sharma, impressing with his finishing abilities for India and Baroda, secured the wicket-keeper spot in the first T20I against South Africa at Barabati Stadium in Cuttack.
“Sanju Better At No.3, Hard To Fit In XI”- Ashwin
Ravichandran Ashwin added that Sanju Samson has little chance of occupying the No.5 position but could be better utilized at No.3 in the batting order.
“There was a lot of talk before the game that Sanju should play, and why is he not being played, and all that. Whenever Sanju is dropped from the team, there is always a discussion, the question of whether he got a fair run, and all that. 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,” R Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.
“Sanju has not played enough at No.5, and Jitesh Sharma is there in the squad for his finishing abilities. That was the role he played for RCB, so it was always going to be difficult for Sanju. If you are playing Sanju, play him at No.3, use him against spin,” Ashwin added.
Jitesh Sharma played a crucial role in India’s victories, hitting an unbeaten 22 off 13 balls against Australia in Hobart and following it up with a quick 10 off five deliveries in Cuttack. The wicket-keeper had also been in excellent form during the group stages of the 2025-26 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) and while captaining India in the Asia Cup Rising Stars.
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