Sanju Samson’s Tumultuous 2025: From India’s No.1 Opener to Struggling at No.8

Sanju Samson started 2025 as India’s most promising T20I opener, riding high after scoring three centuries in his last 12 T20Is. With the retirement of Rohit Sharma, Samson was entrusted with the top-order role, forming a potent partnership with Abhishek Sharma. The Kerala star seemed set for a breakthrough year.

However, the tide turned by mid-year. During India’s five-match Asia Cup 2025 campaign, Samson struggled to find a consistent spot in the batting order. Despite being named India’s No.5, he batted only twice, against Oman and Pakistan, while players like Hardik Pandya, Tilak Varma, and Shivam Dube were preferred higher up.

Samson’s lean phase began in January during the T20I series against England, where he failed to score a fifty in five games. Although initially backed by Gautam Gambhir and assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate, Samson’s position eroded with the return of Shubman Gill and the continued presence of Varma and Suryakumar Yadav.

IPL dynamics may have contributed to Samson’s decline. Injuries and a difficult season for Rajasthan Royals, coupled with the rise of Vaibhav Suryavanshi, shifted focus away from Samson. Rumours of a rift with Rahul Dravid have also surfaced, and speculation suggests that Samson could move to Chennai Super Kings, replacing MS Dhoni in the long term.

Despite the setbacks, Samson remains committed to adapting his role in the team. In a candid post-match interview, he likened himself to Mohanlal, Kerala’s cinematic legend, saying, “I can’t only play hero roles. I need to be a villain, a joker. I have to explore every role to secure my place.”

Samson’s 2025 journey reflects the highs and lows of Indian cricket’s culture: players are celebrated, then displaced; roles are defined, then reshuffled. For Samson, the year has been both a reward for perseverance and a harsh lesson in the uncertainty of the sport. With the T20 World Cup 2026 on the horizon, the question remains whether India will stabilize its batting order and give Samson the clarity he deserves.