Overview:
Dasgupta doesn’t anticipate many switches to the current XI, suggesting Samson could again be among those waiting for an opportunity.
Former Indian wicketkeeper Deep Dasgupta pointed to the batting order dynamics behind Sanju Samson’s omission in favour of Jitesh Sharma. Samson’s strongest patch came as an opener, but Shubman Gill’s re-entry has altered the top-order order, leaving Samson to rebuild in the middle, a role that’s been far less productive.
Samson enjoyed a standout 2024, piling up 436 runs and three centuries while averaging 43.6 and striking at 180.16. In 2025, the returns have dipped sharply, with 185 runs from 14 appearances at an average of 18.5 and a strike-rate of 120.91. With those numbers, he has been left out for the last three games, and Jitesh Sharma has stepped in.
Dasgupta told PTI that the call depends on where Samson is batting. If he’s not slotted in the first three positions and the wicketkeeper is expected to operate in the lower middle order, Dasgupta feels Jitesh is the safer choice since that’s his specialist area.
“If Sanju isn’t going to bat in the top three, then the better move is to pick a wicketkeeper who’s built for the middle and lower order. A top-order batter isn’t the ideal fit when you might only face two or four deliveries, and that’s a tough role to play.”
“Jitesh is the specialist for that role,” former India wicketkeeper Deep Dasgupta told PTI.
There are nine matches remaining on India’s road to the T20 World Cup, four against South Africa and five against New Zealand. Dasgupta doesn’t anticipate many switches to the current XI, suggesting Samson could again be among those waiting for an opportunity.
“With nine matches left before the T20 World Cup, I don’t expect too many changes going into the tournament,” he said.