Overview
- Sanju Samson said he has opened and finished in the past and is prepared to bat in the middle order after Shubman Gill’s return to the top.
- The first T20I in Canberra was abandoned after 9.4 overs, with Shubman Gill unbeaten on 37 off 20 and captain Suryakumar Yadav 39 off 24.
- Former selector Kris Srikkanth criticized the handling of Samson’s role, calling him “most unlucky” for being shifted across positions despite success as an opener.
- India fielded three spinners and picked Harshit Rana ahead of Arshdeep Singh in Canberra, intensifying debate over the team’s selection priorities and batting depth.
- Analysts Varun Aaron and Parthiv Patel said Suryakumar’s and Gill’s brisk knocks should boost confidence heading into the second T20I in Melbourne, even as bowling balance remains a talking point.