Former Indian fast bowler Laxmipathy Balaji reckons India’s think tank made a small mistake when they dropped Sanju Samson to the middle order in 2025. After Shubman Gill was named as the team’s vice-captain, Samson was pushed down to the middle order in the Asia Cup.
However, the right-hander could not come up with consistent performances while batting down the order. Gill was eventually dropped from India’s T20 World Cup squad and Samson was given back his opening slot in the five-match T20I series against New Zealand. But, the right-hander could only manage 46 runs in five games at an average of 9.20 and was dropped from the playing XI in the initial matches of the World Cup.
“If you see the Australia T20 series, he was brought in the middle order. That does not suit him at all. We have seen in the IPL and even his thee centuries have come at the top of the order, specially for a power hitter like Samson. That’s where a little bit of confusion has occurred within the leadership group. So the player will get confused, especially Samson, who is a primary top order batter He should play in that position. That is where I feel the leadership group made a small mistake. You saw his form dip then and he was not convincing in the New Zealand series,” Balaji said on ‘Cric It with Badri’.
However, the former CSK bowler said Samson should have grabbed his opportunities irrespective of the batting position.
“I am not saying Sanju is also not at fault. Yes, chances in international cricket you have to maximise, but that clarity of the top order should be there. There is so much competition, so many youngsters, so every opportunity you have to push yourself. There is a mix and match of both.”
On the other hand, former Indian batter Subramaniam Badrinath showered praise on Samson for his brilliant knock against the West Indies.
“I am personally very happy. Sanju Samson performed and India won. It is very good. One of the best innings I have personally seen of him. Not because of the quantity of runs, but the way he soaked the pressure, the way he paced his innings. Finally, please don’t drop Sanju Samson, that is what I will tell the Indian team management,” he said.
India will take on England in the second semifinal at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, on Thursday.
