Gautam Gambhir’s ex-teammate finally reveals why Sanju Samson was dropped from T20I team

Former India National Cricket Team batter Mohammad Kaif has dropped a massive statement on why the star wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson was dropped from the T20I playing XI.

Mohammad Kaif bluntly said that the India T20I vice-captain, Shubman Gill, has to be blamed for the axing of Sanju Samson from the line-up despite his stellar performances over the last year.

Jitesh Sharma is seen as a better finisher than Sanju Samson - Mohammad Kaif

Kerala superstar wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson enjoyed a great run with the Indian T20I team as an opener since 2024 and played some of the breathtaking knocks for his side.

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However, his run as an opener was cut short when the BCCI selection committee decided to recall Shubman Gill to the T20I setup and handed him the vice-captaincy for the Asia Cup 2025.

A leadership position meant that Gill got a guaranteed position at the top as an opener, along with Abhishek Sharma, and Sanju Samson was demoted.

Since then, Samson has been mostly used as a floater, and he hasn't got a fixed batting position. After the first two T20I matches of the series against Australia, he was dropped and replaced by the explosive wicketkeeper-batsman Jitesh Sharma.

Talking about the treatment of Sanju Samson, Mohammad Kaif said that the gloveman has been sidelined because India have identified Shubman Gill as an ideal opener and Jitesh Sharma as a better candidate for the middle order role.

"If Sanju Samson was playing, there would be no confusion, but with Shubman Gill as vice-captain playing in all matches, Sanju Samson seems sidelined. Jitesh Sharma is seen as a better finisher at number five or six than Sanju, which works in Sharma's favor.

"But because Gill is being groomed as a future captain and player, Sanju has lost his spot. Sanju's record is excellent, strike rate around 150. But they are backing players by the batting number position now," he said on his YouTube channel.

Gill is being backed as a future captain - Mohammad Kaif

Mohammad Kaif further said that Shubman Gill is a good player and he deserves all the opportunities in the world, but cautioned the player to deliver impactful performances to shut down the demands for the inclusion of Sanju Samson or Yashasvi Jaiswal as an opener.

"Gill is being backed as a future captain. He is getting to play all the matches. But it is not like he is not a good player. They are not backing for no reason. He has played well in IPL for Gujarat, with good averages in Tests and ODIs.

"There is nothing less in him as a player but he is still taking time to get his best form in T20s. Gill does not have a big innings but there are many matches before the World Cup. He will have to deliver a Man of the Match or Man of the Series type performance to release that pressure. Then people will talk less about Sanju and Jaiswal," he said.

You can see and try someone like Jaiswal - Mohammad Kaif

The former India batter further said that India could recall Yashasvi Jaiswal to the T20I setup and include Samson in the playing XI and try them out in case Shubman Gill is rested for the South Africa T20Is. He said:

"I think if Gill is rested for the South Africa series, then if Jaiswal comes, or Samson opens and scores, then there will be more questions. You can see and try someone like Jaiswal.

"It may not be a bad call. If they try these two, then the picture will be clear before the World Cup. It may not be a bad call actually. You can see all three and then see who can do well out of the three for the World Cup."

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