According to former Indian selector Krishnamachari Srikkanth, India may be making room for Shreyas Iyer in the starting lineup by demoting Sanju Samson to number five. Samson has not had as strong of a return in the middle order, scoring 62 runs at an average of 20.62 while batting at number five. This is a decline from his opening-round record of 522 runs from 11 innings at an average of 32.62, which includes three hundreds.
Samson was named in India’s playing XI for the Asia Cup 2025 opener against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on September 10, although he was not given an opportunity to bat. Additionally, vice captain Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma were paired at the top of the order, therefore the wicketkeeper-batter was not asked to open.
I believe that by forcing Sanju to bat at five, they are paving the way for Shreyas Iyer to rejoin the team. Sanju shouldn’t bat at number five, and he hasn’t done that much. His confidence in batting at number five will be damaged. I’m not overly thrilled for him. I would caution Sanju that this is his last opportunity. On his YouTube channel, Srikkanth stated, “I would also advise him that Shreyas Iyer will take his place if he doesn’t score in the next two or three innings at this position.”
Sanju Samson is being played in the middle order.
Will they have him serve as the finisher? No. That would be Shivam Dube and Hardik Pandya. At five o’clock, Samson will play. Is he going to deliver? There is a question mark there. Sanju Samson has been accommodated before Jitesh Sharma. For the Asia Cup, it’s all well, but what about the T20 World Cup? He went on.
Srikkanth says he has little chance of winning the T20 World Cup.
Next year, when India and Sri Lanka co-host the major tournament, the Men in Blue will try to defend their T20 World Cup title. However, the team has the opportunity to evaluate its strengths and improve its deficiencies in the present Asia Cup in the United Arab Emirates before then. This collection of players may have the talent to win the Asia Cup, but they might not be able to handle the greater task of defending the T20 World Cup crown, according to the Madras-born (now Chennai) player.
“With this group, we might win the Asia Cup, but we have no chance of winning the T20 World Cup. Will you lead this squad to the World Cup? With just six months to go, is this the build-up to the T20 World Cup? “Srikanth said.”
“They have regressed. Axar Patel was removed from his position as vice captain. I’m not sure how Harshit Rana, Shivam Dube, and Rinku Singh entered the picture. Although the IPL is regarded as the primary selection criterion, the selectors appear to have taken performances into account beforehand,” he continued.
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