Shubman Gill’s return to the Asia Cup 2025 squad added stability at the top of the order and forced a significant shift in India’s batting line-up. With Gill reinstated as opener and given the vice-captaincy, the team moved Sanju Samson from his established slot at the top to the middle order.
This decision carries weight because Samson had firmly cemented his place as an opener through 2024, a year in which he struck three T20I centuries that showcased his authority against both pace and spin. Now, however, the team management believes his skillset can serve a different purpose.
At first, the adjustment seemed manageable. Samson scored a steady half-century against Oman while batting at number three, showing signs of fluency despite the unfamiliar role. Yet the challenge grew steeper when the team pushed him further down to number five during the high-pressure clash against Pakistan in the Super 4 stage.
In that role, he struggled to find rhythm, which sparked debate over whether this reshuffle unsettled one of India’s most reliable performers from last season. Still, the management remains firm in its belief that Samson has the adaptability required to succeed lower down the order.
Ryan ten Doeschate, India’s assistant coach, explained the reasoning in detail during a press conference ahead of the Bangladesh fixture in Dubai. According to him, the form of Gill and Abhishek Sharma at the top, along with Rohit Sharma anchoring the innings at number three and Tilak Varma’s growing impact, has left the middle order as the most pressing area of concern. Consequently, the coaching staff views Samson as the right fit for the role at number five, even if he requires time to adjust to the demands of entering later in the innings.
Ten Doeschate further pointed out that conditions against Pakistan were trickier, with the surface slowing down as the game progressed, which only made Samson’s task harder. Yet he expressed complete confidence that the Kerala batsman will eventually master the requirements of this new spot. He said Samson played only two genuine innings in this role, and that is hardly enough to judge his potential impact.
India's assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate said that the team management is looking to have Samson play at No. 5. However, the former Netherlands all-rounder admitted that the 30-year-old will have to be given some time to adapt to the new batting position.
"Yeah, I think there are two outings now, two decent chances, and he's still figuring out how to play that role. I think the wicket was a little bit tighter in the Pakistan game. But certainly with the way Shubman and Abhishek are going at the top and you've got your captain batting at three and the way Tilak played, we're really looking for a No. 5,"ten Doeschate said during the pre-match presser ahead of India's clash against Bangladesh at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday, September 24.
"So we believe Sanju is the best man for that job and we've got no doubt that he'll figure out how to play that role in the future," he added.
Ultimately, the decision reflects India’s strategy to maintain balance in the batting line-up. With the top order firing consistently, the team shifted focus to building impact through the middle overs. Samson’s track record suggests that once he adapts, his ability to counter both spin and pace could make him the ideal option at number five. The coming matches will show how quickly he can mould his game to fit the team’s broader needs.
