Former India captain and selector Kris Srikkanth believes Sanju Samson is being pushed to bat at No.5 to accommodate Shreyas Iyer’s return to India’s T20I playing XI.
Srikkanth Questions Sanju Samson’s No.5 Role in Asia Cup 2025
Former India captain and national selector Kris Srikkanth believes Sanju Samson was slotted to bat at No.5 in the Asia Cup 2025 primarily to make way for Shreyas Iyer’s potential return to the T20I setup. Ahead of India’s match against the UAE, reports suggested that Samson might sit out while Jitesh Sharma would take the middle-order spot.
With Shubman Gill named vice-captain and opening alongside Abhishek Sharma, Samson’s position was uncertain. However, captain Suryakumar Yadav and head coach Gautam Gambhir opted for continuity, retaining Samson in the lineup. The decision comes after selectors, led by Ajit Agarkar, faced criticism for excluding Shreyas Iyer entirely from the Asia Cup squad, not even naming him in the reserves.
Despite Samson’s excellent form over the past year, including three T20I centuries, his performance at No.5 remains unproven. In T20Is, he has scored just 62 runs at that position, compared to 522 runs as an opener, including three centuries. In the UAE match, Samson did not bat as the top order chased down 58 runs effortlessly.
Srikkanth expressed concern on his YouTube channel: “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.”
He added a warning for Samson: “To Sanju, I would say this is his last chance. If he fails to score in the next three innings at this position, Shreyas Iyer will replace him.”
Will Samson deliver?
Former India captain and selector Kris Srikkanth further questioned Sanju Samson’s role in the middle order, suggesting that Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube are better suited to finish games.
“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,” Srikkanth said.
In India’s opener against the UAE, the visitors were bowled out for 57 in 13.1 overs, with Kuldeep Yadav taking four wickets. India chased the total in just 4.3 overs, winning by nine wickets with 93 balls to spare. The team now prepares to face arch-rivals Pakistan on Sunday, September 14, at the Dubai International Stadium.