Dubai: Sanju Samson’s struggle to fit into India’s middle order continues to be a concern for head coach Gautam Gambhir and the team management. With India’s final Super 4 match against Sri Lanka on Friday rendered inconsequential, it presents an opportunity to test Jitesh Sharma as a potential middle-order finisher.
Having defeated Bangladesh, India’s win ensured Sri Lanka—already out of contention after losses to Bangladesh and Pakistan—will only play to complete formalities. All eyes now shift to the India-Pakistan final on Sunday.
Beyond Samson’s inconsistent role, India’s fielding has also raised eyebrows, with 10 catches dropped so far in the tournament, including five against Bangladesh. Even mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy, who suffered from missed chances, acknowledged the need for improvement.
“As they say, you can’t make excuses at this level. We need to take all the catches, especially heading into the finals,” said Chakravarthy, adding that the Dubai Stadium floodlights, designed like football stadiums, can sometimes affect visibility.
While fielding remains a focus area, the batting order has shown cracks that India has largely overlooked due to comfortable wins. Against Bangladesh, Samson didn’t make the top seven in the lineup, raising questions about his place in the team if he can’t outscore Axar Patel.
Shivam Dube’s promotion to No.4 was tactical against wrist spinners, but the move disrupted the left-right balance in the middle, with Hardik Pandya, Tilak Varma, and Axar Patel taking precedence. Fielding coach Ryan ten Doeschate had earlier noted, “Sanju is still figuring out how to bat at No.5.”
Samson could be moved to No.3 against Sri Lanka, but the final may see him return to No.5, a position that doesn’t suit his natural game. His recent fifty against Oman was scratchy, and his historical record at the top has protected his spot, despite the availability of a more specialized finisher in Jitesh Sharma.
Jitesh’s IPL numbers show his aptitude for the middle order:
- No.5: 18 innings, 374 runs, 253 balls, strike rate 147.8
- No.6: 15 innings, 384 runs, 230 balls, strike rate 167
- No.7: 7 innings, 136 runs, 76 balls, strike rate 178.9
While Samson is being asked to play out of character, Jitesh provides a ready-made option. Yet Gambhir seems hesitant to alter roles drastically, meaning Jitesh may have to wait, while India ensures minimal risk in the Sri Lanka game and could also rest Jasprit Bumrah ahead of the final.
Squads
India: Suryakumar Yadav (C), Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson (WK), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Rinku Singh, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Arshdeep Singh.
Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (WK), Kamil Mishara, Kusal Perera, Charith Asalanka (C), Dasun Shanaka, Kamindu Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara, Nuwanidu Fernando, Binura Fernando, Chamika Karunaratne, Janith Liyanage, Matheesha Pathirana, Maheesh Theekshana.
