Gautam Gambhir punishes Sanju Samson with 'No.8' demotion after Ryan ten Doeschate's 'best No.5' claim
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Indian batter Sanju Samson's batting position has been a much-debated decision from the Indian management. India is midway through the Asia Cup, and yet they have not decided on a fixed batting role for the wicket-keeper batter. Even the coaches seemed to have mixed opinions on his role.
India has continued their dominant winning form in the shortest format of the game. Under skipper Suryakumar Yadav's leadership, this is the first time they eye a multi-nation trophy. Having defeated Pakistan and now Bangladesh in the two Super-4 matches, the Men in Blue are through to the Asia Cup 2025 Final.
A dominating performance from the Men in Blue, led by opener Abhishek Sharma on another occasion and then anchored by the bowlers, led them to a comfortable victory. Jasprit Bumrah and Varun Chakravarthy picked 2 wickets each, while Kuldeep Yadav once again remained the pick of the bowlers with another 3 for.
Ryan ten Doeschate rubbished by the Indian head coach after a massive statement on Sanju Samson
Just before the previous game, the Indian fielding coach, Ryan ten Doeschate, had mentioned that Sanju Samson is ideal to bat in the middle order. Samson was cited as India's best No. 5 batter by the coach.
However, the plans have not been the same in Gautam Gambhir's head. The Indian coach has been clear that Sanju Samson will have to switch roles as per the needs of the side; however, one would have thought that Samson would be demoted as the no. 8 batsman in the side.
Samson has scored a half-century against Oman; however, he has received mixed reviews for his slow-paced innings. Samson got his next outing against Pakistan; however, it ended in a disappointing outing for the Indian star.
Shivam Dube was sent in at no. 3 against Bangladesh
Gautam Gambhir is known for his surprise moves, and one was witnessed at the Dubai International Stadium today. Before the start of the Asia Cup, Tilak Varma was cited as India's no. 3. However, neither he nor Samson has batted in that position.
Instead, skipper Suryakumar Yadav has come in at no. 3, and this time Shivam Dube, the left-handed batting all-rounder, was promoted up the order. His arrival shocked all since he was sent in after Shubman Gill's dismissal, distorting Gambhir's usual strategy of maintaining a right-hand-left-hand combination.
Dube too failed miserably in the role, as he was soon dismissed, having scored just 2 runs. He might be sent in to take down the leg-spinner Rishad Hossain; however, the spinner had the upper hand over the CSK big hitter.
Shubman Gill's form has also been questionable since his return in the Asia Cup
Sanju Samson lost his spot to none other than Indian vice-captain Shubman Gill. Gill, at the back of his dominant IPL form and promising show in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, was backed by the Indian management for the Asia Cup.
However, in the shortest format of the game, Sanju Samson has often been considered an even better batter as compared to Shubman Gill. Gill has not shown promising form in the Asia Cup; however, he has had some good starts but could not convert those into some convincing big innings.
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India National Cricket Team Bangladesh National Cricket Team India vs Bangladesh Asia Cup Sanju Samson Gautam Gambhir Ryan ten Doeschate
