Gautam Gambhir committed Sanju Samson 21 ducks, drops him after 19 straight matches

Team India wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson was dropped from the playing XI for the third T20I of the five-match series against Australia in Hobart on Sunday, November 2. Following the match, head coach Gautam Gambhir’s remarks on backing Samson grabbed attention in the cricketing community.

Team India skipper Suryakumar Yadav did not reveal the reason behind Samson's exclusion for the must-win match. The change seemed like a tactical call from the team management rather than an injury-related move. Jitesh Sharma took over wicketkeeping duties for the match, replacing Samson in the lineup.

Sanju Samson Left Out of India’s Playing XI for Third T20I vs Australia

Sanju Samson didn't get a chance to bat in the rain-abandoned first T20I. The right-handed batter managed to score only two runs in the next game, where he was trapped lbw by Nathan Ellis after facing just four deliveries.

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Samson had established himself as an opener last year, smashing three centuries with an average close to 38 and a strike rate of 183.70 across 12 innings. However, Shubman Gill’s return to the T20I setup since the Asia Cup pushed him into the middle order.

Sanju Samson has been shuffled around at No. 3 and No. 5, and the lack of a fixed position has impacted his performances. He has averaged under 27 in five innings in the middle order, with just one half-century.

Overall, the Kerala wicketkeeper-batter has featured in 51 T20Is for India, scoring 995 runs at a strike rate of 147.40, including three half-centuries and three centuries.

I Will Remove You Only After 21 Ducks - Sanju Samson on Gautam Gambhir’s Backing

Ahead of the Asia Cup 2025, Sanju Samson said that Suryakumar Yadav and Gautam Gambhir played crucial roles in lifting his confidence during a difficult phase. Sanju Samson revealed that the head coach told him he would only be dropped if he scored 21 ducks, not two.

"I was playing a Duleep Trophy game in Andhra, Surya was playing as well, that's when he came & told 'Chetta, there is a good opportunity coming for you - we have 7 games lineup up, I am going to give you all 7 games as an opener' - the word coming from the Captain, it was great then I played 2 games in Sri Lanka & I got duck in two games."

"I was bit down, that's when Gauti bhai saw me, he came up to me and asked what happened - I told him that I didn't capitalise on the chances I got - and he was like 'So? I will remove you from the team only if you scored 21 ducks' - that kind of confidence from Captain & coach helped me to do what I did later on," Samson said.

India Level Five-Match T20I Series With Win in Hobart

Suryakumar Yadav won the toss in the third T20I and decided that India would bowl first. Australia posted a competitive score of 186/6, following half-centuries from Tim David (74) and Marcus Stoinis (64). Arshdeep Singh finished with three wickets to restrict the hosts from crossing the 190-run mark.

India approached the chase with a collective mindset, as multiple batters chipped in to keep the innings on track. Washington Sundar scored an unbeaten 49 from just 23 balls. India completed the run chase with 15 balls to spare. Arshdeep Singh secured the Player of the Match award.

With the series evenly poised, the fourth T20I between India and Australia will be played at the Bill Pippen Oval in Gold Coast on Thursday, November 6, where both sides will look to take the lead ahead of the final match.

Also read: Sara Tendulkar's reaction to Shubman Gill’s horror show in Hobart T20I vs Australia goes viral