Sanju Samson in action. (FILE photo)
Jitesh Sharma has been brought into the Indian side in place of Sanju Samson to play the role of the finisher, who was pushed down the order after Shubman Gill returned at the top of the order. However, Samson’s returns in the middle order have been minimal, and Jitesh, who is a specialist finisher, has looked at home in the role. On Tuesday, after India’s win against South Africa, when asked about the dynamic between him and Samson, Jitesh responded by saying Samson was like an “elder brother” to him.
“I am very grateful that he is in the team and I am under him. He is like an elder brother to me,” Jitesh said. “Because of healthy competition, your talent comes out. It’s good for the team. Sanju bhai is out, and I am playing. He is a great player—one of the great players. If I have to compete with him and play shoulder to shoulder, I have to bring my A-game,” he said.
Samson and Abhishek Sharma had formed an incredibly potent opening combination for India in the immediate months after the 2024 T20 World Cup. However, the return of Shubman Gill to the squad has resulted in Samson being displaced from the opening slot and having to often adjust anywhere in the top order to the lower middle order, if he is picked. India captain Suryakumar Yadav acknowledged that Samson did extremely well at the top of the order but Gill was always first choice.
“In terms of Sanju, yes, when he came into the circuit, he batted higher up the order. Now, the thing is, other than the openers, I feel everyone has to be very flexible,” Suryakumar told reporters on the eve of India’s first T20I against South Africa.
He reiterated the point made a number of times by head coach Gautam Gambhir about every batsman needing to be prepared to play anywhere, aside from the openers. “He (Sanju) did really well before when he played, when he opened the innings. But Shubman had played before him in the Sri Lanka series. So, he deserved to take that spot. But we gave Sanju opportunities. He was ready to bat at any number from 3 to 6. That is one thing which I have told all the batters — other than openers, everyone has to be very flexible.”
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