Sanju Samson made good use of much needed time in the middle as skipper Suryakumar Yadav decided to give every other playing member a hit in the centre, taking India to a healthy 188 for eight against Oman in their final Asia Cup league fixture on Friday.
With vice-captain Shubman Gill getting out cheaply, the one drop slot warranted a right hander and accordingly Sanju Samson (56 off 45 balls) got a chance to bat in the top 3. It wasn’t the smoothest of his innings on a slightly slowish track but three fours and three sixes off would certainly give him confidence ahead of the business week.
Sanju Samson once the opener, has to bat at No. 5. During the game against Pakistan, Sanju Samson scored 13 off 17 balls and looked a little clueless not knowing how to approach the situation. His 17-ball stay was laced with one boundary and finally he was clean bowled by Haris Rauf trying to play a big shot. Seeing his vulnerability at No 5. Former Indian player now commentator cum Cricket expert Murali Kartik believes that Sanju Samson requires some help from the management to make him adjust at his new batting position.
Murali Kartik believes that Sanju Samson should seek advice from the management to make him comfortable at No 5
Former spinner Murali Kartik advised someone in and around the Indian camp to help wicketkeeper batter Sanju Samson thrive in the middle-order after the latter’s struggles in the India-Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 Super Four clash at Dubai. The 30-year-old enjoyed a career resurgence in T20Is as an opener over the past few months in the build-up to the Asia Cup.
However, with Shubman Gill returning to the squad, Team India have opted to go with the Gill-Abhishek Sharma pairing at the top, with Samson relegated to the middle-order. The Kerala batter did come out to bat at No. 3 in India’s final Group stage outing against Oman, scoring a match-winning 56.
Yet, he batted at No. 5 in the recently concluded Pakistan encounter and struggled for rhythm. Sanju Samson scored a scratchy 17-ball 13 before being cleaned up by Haris Rauf in India’s eventually successful run chase of 172.Talking about Samson’s new role at No. 5 in T20Is during the post-match show on Cricbuzz, Kartik said :
“If Sanju is going to be playing moving forward, and if that’s the role (No.5) he’s going to be given, is it upon Sanju now to prepare for that or do you move the others from their spot because you are trying to create a spot for Sanju at No. 3? If he’s so vital to your side, does he move to No. 3 and the others adjust their game or does he adjust his game to keep his place in the side? Maybe get somebody to help him because he’s a very classical player.”
He continued :
“Jitesh Sharma is better suited, just the way he bats, he’s better suited for that middle order. They have so many people there who can help Sanju with this role because he has the game and the skills.”
Sanju Samson has struggled at No. 5 in T20Is, averaging an underwhelming 18.75 at a strike rate of 117.18 in six matches. Murali Kartik believes Team India could have recorded a more comfortable win over Pakistan, given the start provided by the openers. Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill added 105 off only 60 deliveries for the opening wicket as India dominated the first half of their run chase. However,Sanju Samson’s struggles in the middle-order, coupled with the regular fall of wickets, meant India took 18.5 overs to seal the deal.
“The way the Indian openers started, if it had not been for the injury and then Shubman Gill getting out, I think this game looked like it would be over by the 14th or15th over. So when you compare man to man, player to player, India are a far superior side,” said Kartik .
India won all three of their group stage games, including the one over Pakistan by seven wickets, before the six-wicket victory over their arch-rivals to open the Super Fours. India take on Bangladesh in their next Asia Cup fixture on Thursday, while Pakistan look to bounce back in a meeting with Sri Lanka a day prior on Wednesday.