Team India's former Assistant coach Abhishek Nayar has urged the Indian team management to back Rajasthan Royals' skipper Sanju Samson without shuffling his batting order ahead of the T20 series against Australia.
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With India's vice-captain Shubman Gill back in the T20I side, Samson lost his opening batting slot. He was moved to the middle-order, where he featured for the side throughout the Asia Cup 2025.
'Give Samson a long rope,' Nayar urges Team India
Talking to Star Sports, Nayar reflected on his thoughts regarding the keeper-batter. He believed that the Australian conditions would suit him and that he should be given a long rope ahead of the T20 World Cup next year.
"If you look at Sanju Samson, as you said, he hasn't done anything wrong. So, if you can consistently make him bat at the same number until the World Cup, then he's your man. In Australian conditions, everyone knows Sanju likes to play pickup pull and cut shots on bouncy wickets. These conditions will suit his game...Sanju Samson deserves a long rope," said Nayar.
Adapting to a new role in the middle order, Samson played some crucial knocks for India in the Asia Cup, which concluded last month. His 24 runs against Pakistan in the finals under pressure proved to be a vital contribution to India's victory.
What is Sanju Samson's record in T20Is?
While Samson's T20I records don't stand out, the batter has done decently well for the side in the shorter format, especially as an opener. He averages around 26 in T20Is and has scored three centuries in 42 innings.
However, as an opener, his average rockets up to 39.38 with a 182.20 strike rate, which is the position from where he scored all his centuries. At No. 4 and No. 5, where Samson currently bats, he averages under 24 runs per inning.
The Men In Blue are all set to kick off at Canberra on October 29 in a high-octane five-match T20I series against the Aussies. While Samson is unlikley to get his opening slot back, Nayar is hopeful the Indian batter can still cement his spot in the middle order.
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