India’s Dilemma: Where Does Samson Fit in Batting Order Beyond Opening?
Samson’s effectiveness beyond opening raises questions over his ideal batting slot.
As India prepares for its high-stakes Asia Cup encounter against Pakistan on September 14, 2025, the team management faces a key decision on Sanju Samson's placement in the batting order. With the playing XI expected to remain largely unchanged, Samson is set to feature over Jitesh Sharma, following his rest during optional training before the opener against UAE. However, integrating the Kerala batsman effectively poses challenges, given his historical performance data in T20 internationals.
Analysis of Samson's 38 T20I innings reveals strong success at the opening position, where he has scored 512 runs in 14 innings at a strike rate of 182.2, including three centuries and a fifty. At No. 4, his contributions are modest with 164 runs in 11 innings at a strike rate of 129.9. Performance drops significantly in other slots, highlighting his struggles beyond top-order roles. Legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has advocated for Samson at No. 3, suggesting Tilak Varma shift to No. 5 to accommodate him.
Complicating matters, Tilak Varma thrives at No. 3 and No. 4, amassing 443 runs in 13 innings at No. 3 with a strike rate near 170, and 256 runs in eight innings at No. 4. Captain Suryakumar Yadav, a proven performer at No. 3, has successfully swapped positions with Tilak in recent setups. With Shubman Gill opening, Samson's optimal spot appears limited, as middle-order roles expose him to spinners, where his IPL strike rates against wrist-spinners (136.61) and left-arm spinners (138.17) indicate vulnerabilities.
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The team emphasizes flexibility from No. 3 to 7, but data suggests rigidity in player effectiveness. Against Pakistan's potential wrist-spinners like Abrar Ahmed and Sufiyan Muqeem, Samson's middle-over challenges could hinder India. Positioning him at No. 3 may offer the best balance, preserving his aggressive style while maintaining team dynamics.
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