Ravi Shastri Questions Sanju Samson's Exclusion; Shubman Gill's Injury Creates Opportunity

Sanju Samson's place in the Indian team has been a recurring topic of debate, particularly with Shubman Gill's recent struggles in T20Is. Samson's opportunities have been limited, often finding himself lower in the batting order or out of the playing XI altogether. Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has now added his voice to the discussion, questioning why Samson isn't given more chances.

Shastri remarked on air, "When you see him batting like this, you sometimes think, why is he not in the side in the first place? Why should it be an injury that brings him in? He is just a natural for that position at the top of the order." He emphasized Samson's T20 credentials, pointing out his three centuries, including two consecutive scores against South Africa, highlighting his explosive and dangerous batting style.

Shastri's comments underscore the fact that Samson is the only Indian batter to have hit back-to-back T20I centuries. He scored 111 against Bangladesh in October of the previous year, followed by an unbeaten 107 against South Africa. Samson's performances seemingly paved the way for other Indian players to score big in T20Is, as Tilak Varma subsequently hit unbeaten scores of 107 and 120 against the same opposition in Centurion and Johannesburg.