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11h ago

Srikkanth Says Samson’s No. 5 Role Opens Door for Shreyas Iyer in India’s Asia Cup XI

Shubman Gill’s return as vice-captain has pushed the regular opener into an unfamiliar middle-order slot.

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Sanju Samson was slotted at No.5 in India's Asia Cup opener against the UAE.
Sanju Samson with fans | Image: @Sachin_Gandhi7
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Overview

  • In India’s Sept 10 Asia Cup opener against the UAE, Sanju Samson was listed at No. 5 and did not bat as the target was chased quickly.
  • On his YouTube channel, former selector Kris Srikkanth said the move is intended to reintroduce Shreyas Iyer and warned Samson could be dropped after two or three failures.
  • Reports contrasted Samson’s three T20I hundreds and 522 runs as an opener with significantly weaker numbers at No. 5, spotlighting concerns over role fit.
  • The batting reshuffle followed Shubman Gill’s reinstatement as vice-captain and opening partner to Abhishek Sharma, with Samson picked ahead of Jitesh Sharma.
  • With the Asia Cup viewed as preparation for T20 World Cup 2026, Srikkanth questioned the current combination’s ceiling, though no changes to India’s squad have been announced.