Sanju Samson has become the talk of Indian cricket. On one hand, speculation surrounds his next Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise after reports that Sanju Samson told Rajasthan Royals he wants to part ways before the 2026 season; on the other, Sanju Samson finds himself in the thick of the selection drama for the upcoming Asia Cup. The selectors are expected to announce the T20I squad on Tuesday at a press conference in Mumbai.
Sanju Samson should be a certainty, having smashed three centuries in his last 12 T20Is after being backed extensively as an opener. However, Shubman Gill’s recent form in the Test series against England has reignited calls for his inclusion in the T20I squad.
Sanju Samson vs Shubman Gill statistical highlights
Following Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma’s impressive performance in the last few T20I matches, it can be said that this duo will be seen opening the innings in the upcoming Asia Cup, meanwhile Shubman Gill’s name is also in the news.
Gill was appointed Test capatin for the England tour and under his leadership India managed to draw the series 2-2. Looking at Gill’s leadership quality, BCCI wants to make him the captain of all three formats in the future, so it is being said that he can be selected in the Asia Cup and he can also become the vice-captain of the team.
Let’s take a look at the statistics of Sanju Samson and Shubman Gill after 21 T20Is. Samson has played 42 matches overall, while Gill has featured in 21 matches so far. Here, we compare the stats of both players from their first 21 matches to see who is ahead.
Shubman Gill has scored 578 runs in 21 T20Is at an average of 30.42. 170 runs from his bat have come against Zimbabwe in five innings at an average of 42.50. He has scored 144 runs in three innings against New Zealand at an average of 72 and 131 runs in five innings against Sri Lanka at an average of 26.20. Apart from this, he has scored 102 runs in five innings against West Indies at an average of 20.40.
At the same time, Sanju Samson had amassed 320 runs at an average of 18.82 after 21 T20I matches. In seven innings against Sri Lanka, he amassed 102 runs at an average of 14.57. At an average of 21.33, Sanju Samson also amassed 64 runs in four innings against the West Indies and 77 runs in an innings against Ireland.
After 21 T20I matches, Gill has a strike rate of 139.27. He scored at a strike rate of 184.61 in three innings against New Zealand, 135.05 in five innings against Sri Lanka, 120 in five innings against the West Indies, and 125.92 in five innings against Zimbabwe.
Meanwhile after 21 matches, Sanju Samson’s strike rate was 131.14. His strike rate in three innings against Australia was 141.17 and in seven innings against Sri Lanka was 125.92. Apart from this, in four innings against West Indies, Sanju Samson had a strike rate of 120.75. His strike rate in an innings against Ireland was 183.33.
Gill has scored 50+ runs four times in 21 T20I matches, which includes one century and three half-centuries. His highest score is an unbeaten 126 off 63 balls against New Zealand in Ahmedabad in February 2023, which included 12 fours and seven sixes. He has also smashed two half-centuries against Zimbabwe and one against the West Indies.
Sanju Samson had only one half-century to his name after 21 T20I matches. He scored 77 runs off 42 balls against Ireland in Dublin (Malahide) in June 2022. This innings included nine fours and four sixes. Sanju Samson’s career has now taken off, showing a significant improvement in his statistics. In 42 T20Is, he has scored 861 runs at a strike rate of 152.4, including three centuries and two half-centuries.
Given that the 25-year-old Shubman Gill is also a top-order batter, his selection could push Sanju Samson down to the middle order or even leave him out altogether — a scenario former India cricketer Aakash Chopra warned “would not be a good story” for the Kerala star.
Aakash Chopra’s huge take on Sanju Samson & Shubman Gill
Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has weighed in on the necessity of a backup opener in India’s squad for the upcoming Asia Cup. He also opined that the management will be reluctant to play without Abhishek Sharma. Chopra reflected on the lack of an option other than Abhishek and Sanju Samson during the T20I series played before the Champions Trophy.
Speaking on the selection dilemma for the Asia Cup on his YouTube channel, Chopra said:
“I do not think anyone needs to go out. It is important that you keep another opener with you. India did not pick a third opener (in the T20I series against England). They were not even thinking about who would open if either Abhishek Sharma or Sanju Samson loses form. If you do not keep the third opener here, you will have to keep him in the World Cup.”
He also observed that playing both Samson and Gill in the XI would not be possible due to the team composition since Samson will likely play only as an opener while the middle-order is packed with Tilak Varma and Suryakumar Yadav.
“However, if Shubman Gill is the third opener, do you want to make him sit on the bench? If you don’t do that and play him in the XI, in whose place will you play him? If that player’s name is Sanju Samson, who will keep? That is the problem. You do not see Sanju Samson batting in the middle order. Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma will play at number three and number four. Sanju at No. 5? That would not be a good story,” he added.
The cricketer-turned-commentator also offered his take on why Samson and Gill might not be a part of the Asia Cup squad.
“Getting out five consecutive times against the short ball against England goes against Sanju. What goes against Shubman? If you want to make a destructive team, can Shubman Gill become a part of that DNA? That is the big question. Yashasvi Jaiswal can definitely become a part of that DNA, but are they thinking about Yashasvi?” remarked Chopra.
Chopra further explained that if a third opener is included, it won’t be at Abhishek Sharma’s expense but Samson’s, which would make India’s recent investment in him as an opener seem wasted. The Sunrisers Hyderabad star had put on a stunning show in the home series against England earlier this year, where he scored 279 runs in five matches at a strike rate of 219.68.
“If the third opener plays, he cannot play in place of Abhishek Sharma. He will play in place of Sanju Samson, and you won’t see Sanju Samson playing in the middle order. Then you will start feeling that you wasted the investment you made in the last 12 matches. Suddenly, from being the opener, he is out,” he concluded.
India are placed in Group A of the Asia Cup 2025 along with Pakistan, Oman and the United Arab Emirates. The tournament is scheduled to get underway on September 9 next month.
Also Read: ENG vs IND : Shubman Gill Appointed Test Skipper For Red Ball