It’s Not Jitesh Sharma vs. Sanju Samson – The Real Battle Is Between Shubman Gill and Sanju Samson

As someone who has followed Indian Cricket closely over the years, it is evident that Sanju Samson’s last few months in international cricket have been far from ideal. With the T20 World Cup inching closer, Samson’s chances of breaking into the starting XI appear increasingly limited. It raises a crucial question – how did a player who showed remarkable growth in the T20I format until late last year suddenly lose ground?

Samson’s journey in international cricket has been nothing short of turbulent. After debuting in 2015 at the age of 21, he had to wait nearly five years to earn another opportunity in the T20I setup. Despite consistent IPL performances, the door to the senior national team remained only slightly open until 2020. Even then, opportunities were sporadic and heavily dependent on the team’s changing needs.

It was only after Rahul Dravid assumed the role of head coach that Samson finally enjoyed a consistent run. Although he featured in a fair number of T20Is leading up to the 2024 World Cup, he largely operated as a backup wicketkeeper during India’s iconic title-winning campaign. Samson stayed on the edges – present but not fully trusted.

The scenario shifted dramatically after Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma stepped away from T20Is. Under head coach Gautam Gambhir, Samson started receiving frequent opportunities as an opener. Together with Abhishek Sharma, he formed a dynamic partnership that embodied India’s new ultra-aggressive approach under captain Suryakumar Yadav and Gambhir. The result was exceptional – Samson smashed three centuries in just five innings in late 2024.

But just when it seemed he had cemented his place, the equation changed. Shubman Gill returned, and Samson was pushed down the order. Gill – who had earlier registered a T20I century in 2023 – was surprisingly reinstated and even appointed vice-captain for the Asia Cup shortly after making his maiden appearance as India’s Test captain.

Undeniably, Gill has delivered massive runs in the IPL and enjoyed historic success in Test Cricket in England. Yet India’s decision to break up a flourishing opening pair raised eyebrows. Samson’s consistency dipped as he was forced into a middle-order role that did not align with his strengths. Eventually, he lost his place to Jitesh Sharma – a wicketkeeper-finisher tailor-made for the No. 7 slot.

By the Australia tour in October, Samson was benched, and Jitesh cemented his position. During the opening T20I against South Africa in Cuttack on December 9, Jitesh once again showcased why India sees him as their long-term finisher heading into the World Cup.

Though Samson received sporadic chances in the middle order, it was obvious he was far more comfortable opening the innings. But India’s management – including captain Suryakumar – made it clear that Gill would continue pairing with Abhishek Sharma. Suryakumar even stated that only the two openers would have fixed roles while all others must be flexible enough to switch positions.

THE CORRECT CALL ON JITESH SHARMA

From a selection standpoint, India’s decision to hand Jitesh Sharma the gloves and the designated finisher’s role is unquestionably sound. The most important factor – he is not being asked to perform a role unfamiliar to him.

With Hardik Pandya at No. 5, Shivam Dube at No. 6, Tilak Varma at No. 4, and Jitesh at No. 7, India’s middle order appears stable and well-balanced. Jitesh’s numbers tell their own story – 284 runs at an average of 40.57 and a stunning strike rate of 186.84 from 16 lower-middle-order innings in 2025. His IPL 2025 run with RCB was equally explosive, scoring 261 runs at a strike rate of 176.35.

In comparison, Samson has not batted below No. 5 at any point in 2025, which highlights the challenge in fitting him into that role. As Irfan Pathan told JioStar, “Samson has always played as an opener or No. 3. Moving him down the order is tough. It’s not that he failed at No. 5 or 6 – he did well during the Asia Cup – but you need long-term clarity. India wants to continue with Jitesh Sharma.”

The key takeaway – Sanju Samson is not competing with Jitesh Sharma.

His real competition is Shubman Gill.

And Gill’s numbers since returning as an opener are underwhelming – 263 runs at an average of 26.30 and a strike rate of 143.71 across 13 T20Is. Samson, during the same stretch last year, scored 436 runs at an average of 43.60 and a remarkable strike rate of 180.16.

Pathan summed it up plainly: “If Shubman Gill doesn’t perform, Sanju Samson will take over. Gill will be under pressure. Gill looks confused. Samson scored three centuries at the top. Gill was brought in for stability, but he hasn’t provided it yet.”

WHAT EXACTLY IS GOING WRONG WITH SHUBMAN GILL?

Despite multiple opportunities, Gill has yet to demonstrate form as a T20I opener this year. He has not reached a fifty and has crossed 40 only once in six innings since the Australian tour. His dismissal for four in the Cuttack opener added to the mounting scrutiny.

Former India opener Aakash Chopra raised a critical question – is Gill deviating from his natural game?

“The expectations the team has from him matter. We must understand the role the management has assigned him,” Chopra said.

He further added, “Gill looks like he’s playing under Samson’s shadow. It seems he is trying to bat at Samson’s pace. And if he doesn’t, people say – yes, Gill is scoring but he isn’t doing what Samson did.”

Chopra also highlighted Gill’s attempt to force big shots too early. In the last IPL season, Gill scored 650 runs at a strike rate of 150 – excellent by any standard. But trying to bat at a strike rate of 200, he suggested, is disrupting Gill’s rhythm completely.

Gill will undoubtedly get an extended rope given his stature and potential. Yet, India has a ready-made replacement waiting – and Samson’s past performance as an opener proves he can seamlessly slot back in if Gill’s slump continues.

As India prepares to defend its T20 World Cup title at home, one hopes rigidity doesn’t override logic. Selection must rely on form, role clarity, and balance – not reputation alone.