India’s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav has opened up about head coach Gautam Gambhir’s obsession with wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson. Following Shubman Gill’s elevation as India’s vice-captain in the T20Is, Sanju Samson’s position in the playing XI was under threat.
For the last 12 months, Samson has opened the innings with Abhishek Sharma in this format and even the Kerala star scored three centuries, but Gill’s return to the Indian team cost him the opening spot. However, the wicketkeeper-batsman remained an important part of the setup.
Suryakumar Yadav praises Gautam Gambhir’s clear vision for Sanju Samson
Samson was not only selected in the Indian team for Asia Cup 2025, but he also played an important role in the team’s title win in UAE. He got a chance in every match before Jitesh Sharma. Sanju has scored 108 runs in six matches at an average of 36.00 and strike rate of 127.05.
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Recently, Suryakumar Yadav shared how Gautam Gambhir’s clear vision for Samson has impressed him. The Indian captain admitted that many expected Jitesh Sharma to start ahead of Samson, especially with Gill opening, but Gambhir had already made his plans for the latter.
Suryakumar Yadav reveals Gautam Gambhir’s unwavering trust in Sanju Samson
The Indian head coach was clear from the beginning that Samson would play, no matter which position he bats at. Well, the Kerala star proved his worth in the middle order. Gambhir and management tested Samson’s adaptability, and he passed it with flying colors.
He appreciated how Gambhir believed in Samson and mentioned how this clarity from the coach allowed the players to focus solely on performance rather than selection doubts.
Suryakumar Yadav said on Vimal Kumar’s podcast, “With Shubman Gill and Jitesh Sharma joining the team, everyone thought that Jitesh would open the innings in place of Sanju Samson. But Gauti Bhai was clear from day one that Sanju should play, no matter what batting position he is in.”
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‘T20I Batter of the Year’ Sanju Samson ready to play any role for India
Meanwhile, Sanju Samson was named T20I Batsman of the Year at the CEAT Cricket Awards 2025 in Mumbai. Earlier, the Kerala star was also selected in India’s 16-member T20I squad for the upcoming five-match T20I series against Australia starting on October 29.
Following Gill’s return to the event, the right-handed batsman also broke his silence on batting lower down the order in the T20I line-up. The wicketkeeper has emphasized that representing India means everything to him. He has said that wearing the Indian jersey comes before everything else and he is ready to play any role for the team.
“When you wear that Indian jersey, you can’t say no to anything,” Samson said at the CEAT Cricket Awards 2025. “I have worked really hard to wear that jersey and, more importantly, to be in their dressing room. I take a lot of pride in working for my country. So even if they want me to bat at No. 9 or maybe bowl some left-arm spin, I feel I can do that.” I am also happy. So whatever work has to be done for the country, I think I don’t do it.” Brain.”
