Finding the right balance between batting order flexibility and player comfort is a delicate task in professional cricket. For the current Indian T20I squad, it’s becoming increasingly clear that Sanju Samson needs a consistent message: the team management views him as a vital asset at the No. 5 spot.
Samson’s journey in the recent Asia Cup has been a bit of a rollercoaster. Following Shubman Gill’s return to the lineup, Samson was initially moved down the order. While he did manage a somewhat unconvincing half-century at No. 3 in a less significant game against Oman, he was subsequently shifted back to No. 5 for the high-stakes clash against Pakistan. In that crucial match, he scored 13 runs off 17 balls before being bowled by Haris Rauf.
However, ahead of India’s Super Four encounter with Bangladesh, assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate offered a clear vote of confidence for the 30-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman. “Samson has had a couple of reasonable opportunities, and he’s still in the process of adapting to that No. 5 position,” ten Doeschate explained to reporters. “The pitch in the Pakistan game became a bit challenging. We are actively looking for a specialist No. 5, and we firmly believe Samson is the ideal candidate for that role. We are confident he will master this position in upcoming matches.”
The discussion also touched upon premier fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah’s uncharacteristic performance against Pakistan. When questioned about the possibility of resting Bumrah for one of India’s remaining Super Four games, especially given the ongoing focus on managing his workload (he was, notably, rested for the group stage match against Oman), ten Doeschate provided a clear perspective.
He indicated that such a scenario is “very unlikely,” explaining, “It’s highly improbable that we’ll head into the final Super Four match with qualification already secured. So, a rest for him is doubtful. Furthermore, considering we have a Test match against West Indies starting on Thursday, these matches actually serve as valuable preparation for managing his fitness and match rhythm.”