Sanju Samson’s Role Debate Heats Up: Open, No. 3, Or Out? What Selectors Must Weigh Now

Shubman Gill’s return to the T20I setup has reopened India’s batting-order puzzle. With Abhishek Sharma locked in as an aggressive left-hand opener, Gill’s elevation makes it harder to keep Sanju Samson at the top. That’s triggered two strong schools of thought: keep Samson opening on form and intent, or shift him to No. 3 for a long, consistent run ahead of the next T20 World Cup.

The No. 3 Argument

Former India batter Mohammad Kaif has urged the team management to give Samson a clear runway at No. 3. The pitch: Samson is experienced, in rhythm, and possesses the down-the-ground power to counter elite middle-overs spin—think Rashid Khan in a high-stakes tie. The subtext is stability. If Gill–Abhishek open, a seasoned hitter at first drop offers insurance when an early wicket falls and accelerant when the platform is firm.

Why it makes sense:

• Samson reads leg-spin well and can clear long boundaries straight, a premium skill in middle overs.

• A defined role at No. 3 avoids the “floater” trap that often blunts form players.

• With six months to the World Cup, locking roles now aids clarity on match-ups and substitutions.

The Case To Keep Him Opening

There’s a performance-first counter. Samson’s strongest T20I returns in the last year have come as an opener—quick starts, range against pace and spin, and clean hitting in the powerplay. Dropping him down risks neutralising that edge. If the team prizes powerplay dominance, retaining Samson at the top beside Gill or Abhishek retains an aggressive template and right-left mixing flexibility.

What weighs against this:

• Gill has opened exclusively in T20Is and is vice-captain; the management has indicated he’ll start up top.

• Abhishek’s current form and intent have been central to India’s “fast start” approach.

The Middle-Order Squeeze

If Samson is neither opener nor No. 3, Nos. 5–6 are crowded. Historical returns for Samson down the order haven’t matched his top-three output, and India already have finishers and a wicketkeeper-batter option in that band. Picking Samson at 5 also complicates balance: it may push out a specialist finisher or a second spinner-batter blend, reducing tactical elasticity.

What management must balance:

• Strike-rate and boundary percentage by phase (overs 1–6 vs 7–15 vs 16–20).

• Match-up value against elite leg-spin and left-arm pace—both trend high in tournament knockouts.

• Fielding and keeping flexibility if roles change mid-series.

A Sensible Compromise

• Open: Gill and Abhishek.

• No. 3: Samson, with a four-to-six match runway irrespective of one-off failures.

• Nos. 4–7: fit-for-purpose rotation based on opposition (spin-heavy vs pace-heavy), allowing a second spinner-batter or an extra finisher as conditions dictate.

This keeps powerplay stable, maximises Samson’s spin-hitting in the middle overs, and protects the finisher slots from unnecessary churn. It also creates a clean decision: Tilak Varma waits in the first XI queue but remains first reserve for a left-hand middle-over role or if form dips.

What The Numbers And Context Suggest

• Samson’s peak returns have come as an opener, but his skill-set (quick starts, clean power, back-foot play) translates well to No. 3 when the first wicket falls early.

• Tilak at No. 3 is viable in spin-heavy conditions where a left-hander breaks match-ups; however, if team strategy banks on middle-overs six-hitting and straight power, Samson has the edge.

• A fixed Samson role now will reduce selection noise and help lock the T20 World Cup blueprint.