Former India wicketkeeper Deep Dasgupta has explained why Sanju Samson has been left out of the team and why Jitesh Sharma is getting chances ahead of him. According to Dasgupta, the decision has a lot to do with batting order roles, not just form.
Sanju Samson has always looked at his best when he opens the innings. His big knocks and quick scoring mostly came when he batted in the top three. But after Shubman Gill’s return, the top order is packed again, and Samson has been pushed to the middle order, a position where he has not been as effective.
Samson had a brilliant run in 2024, scoring 436 runs, including three centuries, with an average of 43.6 and a strike rate of 180.16. But the story has changed in 2025. In 14 matches this year, he has made only 185 runs, averaging 18.5 with a strike rate of 120.91. Because of this dip in form, he has been dropped for the last three matches, and Jitesh Sharma has taken his place.
Deep Dasgupta told PTI that the key factor is where the wicketkeeper-batter is expected to bat. If the team wants someone to play in the middle or lower order, then Jitesh becomes the better option because that is the role he is used to.
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He explained it simply:
“If Sanju is not going to bat in the top three, then picking him doesn’t make much sense. A top-order batter is not ideal for a role where you may face only two to four balls. That’s a very tough job, and it needs a specialist.”
Dasgupta believes Jitesh Sharma is made for that role.
“Jitesh is the specialist for that position,” he said.
Looking ahead, India still have nine matches before the T20 World Cup — four against South Africa and five against New Zealand. Dasgupta feels the team will not make too many changes now, which means Samson might have to continue waiting for another chance.
“With nine matches left before the T20 World Cup, I don’t expect a lot of changes,” Dasgupta added.
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