Gautam Gambhir’s former teammate finally reveals why Sanju Samson was left out of T20I squad

Former Indian national cricket team batsman Mohammad Kaif has released a massive statement explaining why star keeper-batsman Sanju Samson was ruled out of the T20I playing XI.

Mohammad Kaif has bluntly said that Indian T20I vice-captain Shubman Gill should be blamed for Sanju Samson’s exclusion from the line-up despite his stellar performances over the last one year.

Jitesh Sharma considered a better finisher than Sanju Samson – Mohammad Kaif

Kerala’s superstar wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson has had a great run with the Indian T20I team as an opener since 2024 and has played some of the breathtaking shots for his team.

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However, his run as an opener was cut short when the BCCI selection committee decided to recall Shubman Gill to the T20I setup and gave him the vice-captain role for the 2025 Asia Cup.

A leading position meant Gill got a guaranteed position at the top as an opener, alongside Abhishek Sharma, and Sanju Samson was demoted.

Since then, Samson has primarily been used as a floater and he does not have a fixed batting position. After the first two T20I matches of the series against Australia, he was dropped and replaced by explosive keeper-batsman Jitesh Sharma.

Talking about the treatment of Sanju Samson, Mohammad Kaif said the gloveman was sidelined because India had identified Shubman Gill as an ideal opener and Jitesh Sharma as a better candidate for the middle-order role.

“If Sanju Samson played, there would be no confusion, but with Shubman Gill as vice-captain playing in all matches, Sanju Samson seems sidelined. Jitesh Sharma is considered a better finisher at number five or six than Sanju, which works in Sharma’s favor.

“But because Gill is being groomed as a future captain and player, Sanju lost his place. Sanju’s record is excellent, with a strike rate of around 150. But they now support players based on their batting number,” he said on his YouTube channel.

Gill is backed as future captain – Mohammad Kaif

Mohammad Kaif further said that Shubman Gill is a good player and deserves all the opportunities in the world but warned the player to put in impactful performances to put an end to the demands for inclusion of Sanju Samson or Yashasvi Jaiswal as an opener.

“Gill is backed as a future captain. He can play every match. But it’s not like he isn’t a good player. They don’t back him for no reason. He has played well in the IPL for Gujarat, with good averages in Tests and ODIs.

“There is nothing less in him as a player but he still takes time to get his best form in T20s. Gill doesn’t have a big innings but there are a lot of matches before the World Cup. He will have to deliver a Man of the Match or Man of the Series type performance to release that pressure. Then people will talk less about Sanju and Jaiswal,” he said.

You can see and try someone like Jaiswal – Mohammad Kaif

The former Indian batter further said that India may recall Yashasvi Jaiswal in the T20I setup and include Samson in the playing XI and try them out in case Shubman Gill is rested for the South Africa T20Is. He said:

“I think if Gill is rested for the South Africa series, then if Jaiswal comes in, or if Samson opens and scores, then there will be more questions. You can see and try someone like Jaiswal.

“Maybe it’s not a bad decision. If they try these two, then the picture will be clear before the World Cup. Maybe it’s not a bad decision actually. You can see the three and then see who can do best among the three for the World Cup.”

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