Team India wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson was dropped from the playing eleven for the third T20I of the five-match series against Australia in Hobart on Sunday, November 2. After the match, head coach Gautam Gambhir’s comments on supporting Samson caught the attention of the cricket community.
Team India captain Suryakumar Yadav did not explain the reason behind excluding Samson to win this match. The change seemed like a strategic move by the team management rather than an injury-related move. In the match, Jitesh Sharma took the responsibility of wicketkeeping in place of Samson.
Sanju Samson left out of India’s playing eleven for the third T20 match against Australia
Sanju Samson did not get a chance to bat in the first T20 match which was canceled due to rain. The right-handed batsman managed to score only two runs in the next game, where he was out LBW by Nathan Ellis after facing just four balls.
Samson established himself as an opening batsman last year by scoring three centuries in 12 innings at an average of 38 and a strike rate of 183.70. However, Shubman Gill’s return to the T20I setup since the Asia Cup has pushed him into the middle order.
Sanju Samson has been moved to No. 3 and No. 5, and the lack of a fixed position has affected his performances. His average in five innings in the middle order has been less than 27, which includes only one half-century.
Overall, the Kerala wicketkeeper-batsman has scored 995 runs in 51 T20I matches for India at a strike rate of 147.40, which included three half-centuries and three centuries.
I will remove you only after 21 ducks – Sanju Samson on supporting Gautam Gambhir
Before Asia Cup 2025, Sanju Samson said that Suryakumar Yadav and Gautam Gambhir played an important role in boosting his confidence during difficult times. Sanju Samson revealed that the head coach had told him that he would be dropped only if he got out for a duck not two but 21 times.
“I was playing the Duleep Trophy in Andhra, Surya was also playing, when he came and said ‘Chetta, a good opportunity is coming for you – we have 7 games in the lineup, I am going to give you all 7 games as an opener’ – the word came from the captain, it was great, then I played 2 games in Sri Lanka and I went duck in two games.”
Samson said, “I was a bit disappointed, then Gauti bhai saw me, he came to me and asked what happened – I told him I didn’t take advantage of the chances I got – and he said, ‘So? I will only drop you from the team if you get out for ducks 21 times’ – that kind of confidence from the captain and the coach helped me do what I did later.”
With victory in Hobart, India leveled the five-match T20 series.
In the third T20 match, Suryakumar Yadav won the toss and decided that India would bowl first. Australia posted a competitive score of 186/6 thanks to half-centuries from Tim David (74) and Marcus Stoinis (64). Arshdeep Singh stopped the host team from crossing the 190-run mark by taking three wickets.
India chased the target with a collective mindset, as several batsmen contributed to keep the innings on track. Washington Sundar scored unbeaten 49 runs in just 23 balls. India completed the chase with 15 balls remaining. Arshdeep Singh won the Player of the Match award.
With the series tied, the fourth T20I between India and Australia will be played on Thursday, November 6 at the Bill Pippen Oval in Gold Coast, where both the teams will look to take the lead ahead of the final match.
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