“That doesn’t make any sense!” Former Indian cricketer furious over team management’s treatment of Sanju Samson | Cricket News
Former India opener Aakash Chopra has slammed the team management for their confusing approach towards keeper-batsman Sanju Samson, who seems to have lost his place in the XI after the emergence of Jitesh Sharma. Samson, who batted at number three on the Australia tour, was left out of the playing XI after just one appearance, while Jitesh impressed with a quick cameo in Hobart. Chopra, speaking on her YouTube channel, questioned the logic behind the frequent shakeups and eventual exclusion of Samson.
“The biggest question is: what do we do with Sanju Samson? He has done quite well, scoring a 50 against Oman and performing decently in the Asia Cup final. Yet it continues to be moved and abandoned. Management said they knew what they were doing with him, and we respected that – but now this situation no longer makes sense,” Chopra said. Since the 2024 T20 World Cup, Samson is India’s third highest run-scorer in T20Is and has excelled as an opener alongside Abhishek Sharma. However, since Shubman GilAfter his return as vice-captain, Samson was pushed down to the middle order and now finds himself out of the XI entirely.
Sanju Samson: Instability of batting stance
2025 Asian Cup tour to Australia (September-November 2025)
| Date | Opposition | Place | Works | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 10 | against the United Arab Emirates | Dubai | – | DNB |
| September 14 | against Pakistan | Dubai | – | DNB |
| September 19 | against Oman | Abu Dhabi | 56 | 3 |
| September 21 | against Pakistan | Dubai | 13 | 5 |
| September 24 | against Bangladesh | Dubai | – | DNB |
| September 26 | against Sri Lanka | Dubai | 39 | 5 |
| September 28 | against Pakistan | Dubai | 24 | 5 |
| October 29 | against Australia | Canberra | – | DNB |
| October 31 | against Australia | Melbourne | 2 | 3 |
| November 2 | against Australia | Hobart | – | Abandoned |
| November 6 | against Australia | Queensland | – | Abandoned |
Chopra further questioned whether Jitesh, who replaced Samson, would receive constant support or face a similar fate. “If Jitesh did well and the team won, logic dictates that you continue with him. But will they actually do it? I don’t know. There is no clear direction here,” he added.
