Ravi Shastri, the former Indian coach, has voiced his concerns regarding Sanju Samson's recent exclusion from the national side, firmly advocating for the Kerala batter to be a consistent part of the team. Shastri's comments come amidst debates about India's top-order composition, particularly the opening partnership. He believes that Samson is most effective when batting at the top of the order, where he can truly dominate and win matches for India.
Shastri has suggested that Samson should ideally partner with Abhishek Sharma at the top, emphasizing Samson’s natural and aggressive style. This endorsement follows the recent T20I series where Samson showcased his potential, especially in the fifth T20I against South Africa where he replaced the injured Shubman Gill and forged a formidable opening stand with Sharma. Together, they scored 63 runs in just 34 balls, demonstrating their capability to put pressure on the opposition.
"When you see him batting like this, you sometimes think, why is he not in the side in the first place? He is just a natural for that position at the top of the order. [He has scored] three hundreds already in T20 cricket, two against South Africa back-to-back. He is explosive and dangerous,” Shastri said.
Shastri's support for Samson isn't new. Even back in September 2025, he argued that Samson should not be moved from the opening slot, even with Shubman Gill's return to the squad. He stated that Gill should instead replace someone else in the lineup, as Samson is "dangerous" at the top and capable of winning matches. Shastri also highlighted that Samson's T20I record at the top of the order is strong enough to challenge even someone like Gill.
The debate around Samson's position gained traction after the 2025 Asia Cup, where the Sanju Samson-Abhishek Sharma partnership initially set a strong tone for India. Across 16 innings, they averaged 33.43 and scored at an impressive strike rate of 193.84. However, with Gill's return and subsequent appointment as T20I vice-captain, Samson was pushed down the order and eventually dropped. This decision has baffled many, especially since Gill's performance as an opener has been underwhelming, putting him under pressure to justify his position.
Several voices in the cricket fraternity have echoed Shastri's sentiment. Questions have been raised about why Samson was replaced despite a successful opening partnership with Sharma. Some argue that Samson, who has three T20I centuries, deserves a consistent run at the top. Former cricketer Robin Uthappa has suggested a different approach, proposing that Samson bat at No. 3 to provide more stability and firepower to the batting lineup.
As India approaches the T20 World Cup, the team management faces a crucial decision regarding the composition of their batting order. While Shubman Gill is considered a long-term prospect and potential leader, Sanju Samson's explosive batting and proven success as an opener cannot be ignored. Shastri's strong support for Samson underscores the need to give talented players consistent opportunities to prove their worth, especially when they possess the natural ability to dominate at the highest level.
