The moment Shubman Gill came into the side..: Ravichandran Ashwin seals Sanju Samson's fate in T20I team

Ravichandran Ashwin has shared his views on Sanju Samson losing his place in India's playing XI for the first T20I against South Africa earlier this week.

For the fourth time in last six matches, Sanju Samson was dropped from the XI to make room for Jitesh Sharma. The team-management has made it more or less clear that Sharma is ahead of the Kerala star when it comes to a finisher's role in the team.

Not very long ago, Sanju Samson was an automatic choice in the T20I team but things have changed since Shubman Gill was recalled to the T20I side and was given the opener's slot. With Gill and Abhishek Sharma opening the innings, Sanju Samson was demoted in the middle-order but has not been given a long run as Sharma has been the clear favourite for that spot.

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Ravichandran Ashwin on Sanju Samson's omission:

With Sanju Samson struggling to get a regular chance in the playing XI, Ravichandran Ashwin has said that the wicketkeeper-batsman was always going to find it difficult to be a regular in the team once Gill was recalled into the squad.

"There was a lot of talk before the game that Sanju should play, and why is he not being played, and all that. Whenever Sanju is dropped from the team, there is always a discussion, the question of whether he got a fair run, and all that. The moment Shubman Gill came into the side, and as a vice-captain, Sanju was always going to find it difficult to get into the XI," R Ashwin said.

'Play Samson at no.3'

Speaking further, Ravichandran Ashwin said that if the team-management does give Samson a chance in the upcoming games, he should be batting at number 3. The former India spin spearhead stated that Samson is unlikely to have a big impact at no.5 and should be given a chance in the top three.

"Sanju has not played enough at No.5, and Jitesh Sharma is there in the squad for his finishing abilities. That was the role he played for RCB, so it was always going to be difficult for Sanju. If you are playing Sanju, play him at No.3, use him against spin," he said.