Former India cricketer Kris Srikkanth, who was also part of the 1983' World Cup-winning squad, made a sensational claim involving Sanju Samson and Shreyas Iyer. As per the Indian cricket icon, Samson has been accommodated at number five in the Asia Cup to allow Iyer to make a return in the T20I setup.
Ahead of India's campaign against at the Asia Cup, which got underway on Wednesday evening, Samson's spot in the playing XI was highly doubtful with most suggesting Jitesh Sharma to shoulder the wicketkeeping duties. While Shubman Gill, the newly elevated vice-captain in T20I, opened the innings, Samson dropped down the order, although he didn't get a chance to bat.
It should also be mentioned that the selectors received harsh criticism for not including Iyer in the Asia Cup squad despite a prolific show at the ICC Champions Trophy and IPL 2025, played earlier this year.
Samson opened the innings for India while Gill was engaged in other formats and during this period he also notched three T20I tons. However, middle-order remains an unchartered territory for the wicketkeeper-batter and it'll be interesting to note he takes the fresh challenge.
“I somehow feel by making Sanju bat at 5, they are making way for Shreyas Iyer to return to the side. Sanju hasn’t batted much at 5, and he shouldn’t bat at that position either. It will dent his confidence batting at No. 5. I am not too happy for him," Srikkanth remarked on his YouTube channel.
"To Sanju, I would warn him by saying that this is his last chance. I would also tell him if he fails to score in the next three innings at this position, Shreyas Iyer will replace him," he added.
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Srikkanth further questioned Samson's ability to finish games, claiming that Shivam Dube and Hardik Pandya are more suited for that position. “They are playing Sanju Samson in the middle-order. Are they going to use him as the finisher? No. That’ll be Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube. So, Samson will play at 5. Will he deliver? That’s a question mark," noted the ex-India batter.
"You’ve accommodated Sanju Samson ahead of Jitesh Sharma. It is fine for this Asia Cup, but what will happen in the T20 World Cup?” he added.
Meanwhile, India launched the Asia Cup campaign with a crushing nine-wicket win against the UAE, who were all-out for just 57 in 13.1 overs. India chased down the paltry target in just 4.3 overs. The Men In Blue will next lock horns with Pakistan, which is scheduled to be played at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday.
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