Asia Cup: 'Last chance' - Ex-India skipper warns Sanju Samson after being put in No 5 role

Former India captain and ex-national selector Kris Srikkanth has raised concerns over Sanju Samson’s role in the Asia Cup 2025, suggesting that the wicketkeeper-batter’s inclusion at No.5 could be a move to clear the path for Shreyas Iyer’s return to the T20I setup. With Shubman Gill named vice-captain and opening alongside Abhishek Sharma, Samson was slotted into the middle order. Before the clash against the United Arab Emirates (UAE), there was speculation that he might not even make the XI, with Jitesh Sharma tipped to feature instead. However, captain Suryakumar Yadav and head coach Gautam Gambhir stuck with Samson. Srikkanth, though, questioned the management’s thinking. “I somehow feel by making Sanju bat at 5, they are making way for Shreyas Iyer to return to the side. Sanju hasn’t batted much at 5, and he shouldn’t bat at that position either. It will dent his confidence batting at No. 5. I am not too happy for him,” he said on his YouTube channel. The former opener also warned that Samson’s opportunities may be limited. “To Sanju, I would warn him by saying that this is his last chance. I would also tell him if he fails to score in the next three innings at this position, Shreyas Iyer will replace him,” Srikkanth added. Samson, who has struck three T20I centuries in the past year, has far greater numbers as an opener than in the middle order. At No.5, his T20I record is 62 runs at an average of 20.62, compared to 522 runs as an opener. Srikkanth also questioned whether Samson is suited to finish off games. “They are playing Sanju Samson in the middle-order. Are they going to use him as the finisher? No. That’ll be Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube. So, Samson will play at 5. Will he deliver? That’s a question mark,” he said, before asking, “You’ve accommodated Sanju Samson ahead of Jitesh Sharma. It is fine for this Asia Cup, but what will happen in the T20 World Cup?” India began their campaign with a nine-wicket win over UAE, chasing down a target of 58 in just 4.3 overs. Their next fixture is against Pakistan on September 14 in Dubai.