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Sanju Samson Shubman Gill: Why India’s Real T20I Battle Is for the Opening Slot
India’s T20I selection debate ahead of the 2026 World Cup is being framed as Sanju Samson vs Jitesh Sharma, but experts say the real contest is Sanju Samson vs Shubman Gill for the opening slot.
Samson was in outstanding form at the top last year, smashing three T20I centuries in five games, but his momentum broke when the team management reinstated Shubman Gill and handed him the vice-captaincy. Gill’s return pushed Samson into the middle order—an unfamiliar position where his consistency dipped, eventually costing him his place in the XI.
Meanwhile, Jitesh Sharma has secured the finisher’s role with strong domestic and international performances, making him the preferred wicketkeeper option.
Gill, however, is under rising scrutiny. Despite his pedigree, he has not scored a single T20I fifty this year, managing 263 runs at a strike rate of 143.71. In contrast, Samson’s numbers last year—436 runs at 43.60 and a strike rate of 180.16—make a strong case for reinstating him as opener.
Experts like Irfan Pathan and Aakash Chopra believe Gill is battling pressure from Samson’s explosive standards, trying too hard to score at a pace unnatural to his style. With the World Cup approaching, India must decide whether to persist with Gill or revive Samson’s successful opening partnership with Abhishek Sharma.
For now, team management insists Gill remains the preferred opener—but Samson stays in contention as the most compelling alternative.
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Published: Dec 11, 2025
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