Sanju Samson's place in India's starting XI came under the scanner before the start of the Asia Cup 2025. Shubman Gill's comeback in the T20I team and his appointment as the team's vice-captain were clear indications that the team management was planning to see Gill open the innings alongside the fiery Abhishek Sharma.
This meant that Samson would be either deployed as a No.3 or in the middle order, a batting position that Samson isn't too familiar with.
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Ahead of the tournament, reports even floated that Jitesh Sharma could take up the gloves from Samson and bat in the middle order, which is his natural position.
However, just an hour before India's tourmanent opener against UAE, Samson's name was seen in the team sheet as a starter, thus ending all speculation.
Unfortunately for Sanju, he did not get an opportunity to bat as the hosts were bowled out for just 57 runs and the Indian openers were off to a flying start and scored the lion's share of the team's total.
When Abhishek Sharma got out, fans felt that Samson would come to bat, but ultimately it was captain Suryakumar Yadav who walked out to see off the game.
Kris Srikkanth issues Asia Cup warning to Sanju Samson
Former India opener and 1983 World Cup winner Kris Srikkanth was not to happy with the team management's call of now allowing Sanju to come to bat at the top of the order as he felt that the middle-order was not Samson's natural position.
On his YouTube channel, Srikkanth said: "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 or three innings at this position, Shreyas Iyer will replace him."
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Srikkanth further claimed that Shreyas Iyer would soon replace him in the middle order if the wicket-keeper starts performing soon.
The ex-India star added: "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?"
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