Sanju Samson’s Batting Demotion Explained: The ‘Shreyas Iyer Plan’ And India’s Middle-Order Math
Sanju Samson’s Batting Order Demotion: The ‘Shreyas Iyer Plan’?
Sanju Samson made India’s XI for the Asia Cup opener against the UAE, but not in his recent comfort zone at the top; he was listed to bat at No. 5. The move triggered an immediate debate: is this simply a tactical tweak for the Asia Cup, or a longer play to reopen the door for Shreyas Iyer in the middle order?
What happened
Samson, who has largely opened for India in T20Is over the last year, was slotted at No. 5 in Dubai as Shubman Gill returned to partner Abhishek Sharma at the top.
The chase against the UAE was too small for the middle order to be tested, so Samson didn’t get a hit on the night.
The selection also left proven finisher Jitesh Sharma on the bench, sharpening focus on what exact role Samson will play through the tournament.
What’s the matter
India’s coaching group has stressed multi-skill depth and role clarity: left–right balance up top, hitters in the middle, and finishers late.
With Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube already ticketed for finishing duties, a No. 5 Samson is being cast as a spin-hitting stabiliser between the top order and the closers.
That job demands tempo control, strike rotation, and the ability to hit spin cleanly without burning deliveries—skills Samson owns, but ones he usually flexes earlier in the innings.
The Social buzz
World Cup winner Kris Srikkanth questioned the shift, arguing Samson should not be trialled at No. 5 when his recent returns have come as an opener.
The blunt verdict: moving Samson down could dent confidence and simultaneously “make way” for Shreyas Iyer’s comeback into the middle order if Samson doesn’t nail the role quickly.
There was also surprise at Arshdeep Singh missing the XI, with the suggestion that conditions—not pecking order—were behind that call.
What actually happened inside selection
The top-order recalibration was always likely once Gill re-entered the T20I set-up as vice-captain.
Management opted for continuity with Samson in the XI, banking on his form and seniority, while testing his adaptability at No. 5 in live competition rather than nets.
The wicketkeeper choice (Samson over Jitesh) signals a preference for batting versatility and game awareness in a role that can swing between No. 3 and No. 6 based on match situation.
The Shreyas Iyer angle
Iyer’s archetype (high-quality middle-overs batting, spin-hitting, and ODI/T20IQ) overlaps with what India often want at No. 4/5.
If Samson locks the No. 5 brief quickly—calm starts, rapid scaling, clean spin access—the Iyer conversation cools. If he doesn’t, pressure will spike to bring Iyer straight into that slot when available.
In short: this isn’t only about who is better; it’s also about who fits the role faster with Pakistan and knockouts looming.
Samson at No. 5: pros and cons
Pros: elite bat speed, strong down-the-ground power, improved strike rate versus spin, and the range to hit square in the middle overs.
Cons: smaller sample size finishing innings, fewer reps starting at 8–10 overs, and the need to sequence boundary bursts without a sighter.
The first real test comes when India lose an early wicket and he must stitch 7–15 without strangling tempo.
Numbers snapshot (T20Is)
Role | Innings | Runs | Avg | Notables |
|---|---|---|---|---|
As opener | 11 | 522 | 32.6 | Three centuries in last year’s cycle |
At No. 5 | Small sample | 62 | 20.6 | Limited reps, role-specific asks |
What it means for Jitesh Sharma
Jitesh remains the out-and-out finishing option with high intent from ball one.
If India choose to push Samson back up (or rest a seamer for conditions), Jitesh can slot at No. 6/7 to supercharge overs 16–20.
For now, the XI signals a desire to field a keeper-batter with a wider batting bandwidth across phases.
What to watch vs Pakistan and beyond
If India bat first and lose an opener early, Samson’s handling of spin and change-ups in the middle overs becomes the immediate audition.
Match-ups: Pakistan’s finger spin and pace-off sequences will test Samson’s range on a two-paced surface more than a low chase ever could.
Selection flexibility: a strong Samson outing at No. 5 quiets the churn; two quiet nights, and the Iyer debate returns to the front burner.