New Delhi: After using Sanju Samson mainly a limited-overs opener in a middle-order role during the Asia Cup, India changed their plan midway through the Australia tour in October as they chose Jitesh Sharma, a specialist finisher instead for the final three games. On Tuesday, when Jitesh was picked over Samson for the fourth match in a row in the series opener against South Africa in Cuttack, India confirmed their plan for the upcoming T20 World Cup.
The decision no longer drew criticism, and there were no fresh questions about Samson’s repeated omission. Instead, former India cricketers Deep Dasgupta and Irfan Pathan backed the decision, calling it a “fair” choice, while also cautioning head coach Gautam Gambhir against making any more changes.
Deep Dasgupta and Irfan Pathan urge Gambhir to stop making changes
“It is the right call. If Sanju is not in top three and if the keeper is batting in the middle order you rather play a specialist, a lower order batter than a top order batter. It is not easy batting for two balls or four balls. Jitesh is a specialist in that regard,” former India wicket-keeper Dasgupta told PTI.
“Nine games to go (before World Cup), I don’t see too many changes ahead of the T20 World Cup,” he reckoned.
Between the previous T20 World Cup and the Asia Cup in September, Samson was India’s preferred T20I opener after Rohit Sharma’s retired from T20Is. He made the most of the opportunity, as he smashed three centuries during that phase.
Samson was moved to the middle order after Gill’s inclusion
However, after the inclusion of Shubman Gill into the T20I squad for the Asia Cup as part of a larger plan to groom him for all-format captaincy Samson was moved to the middle order. With the T20 World Cup knocking at the door, India made another adjustment, choosing specialist finisher Jitesh Sharma over Samson. Since then, Samson has found it difficult to feature in the playing XI.
Speaking to Star Sports, Irfan said that with India having effectively settled on Jitesh as their first-choice T20I wicketkeeper, they should avoid making any more changes in the remaining games before the World Cup.
Irfan believes choosing Jitesh over Samson is a fair call
“It’s a fair call because you will face difficulty going forward if you are thinking about batting Sanju Samson down the order. Sanju Samson has batted up the order, in the top three, in his entire career. It’s a very difficult job if you go down from there. He played a very good knock in the Asia Cup while batting in the middle overs,” the cricketer-turned-commentator said.
“However, if you have to choose one between the two as to who will be more competent and proceed with one plan, you are proceeding with Jitesh Sharma currently, and you will have to move forward with him only. If you keep chopping and changing, you will have difficulties going forward,” he added.