Ashwin spoke about the number of arguments that follow whenever Samson is excluded from the team. He also hinted that Samson would have been preferred in Gill’s absence.
“There was a lot of talk before the match that Sanju should play, why is he not being played and all that. Whenever Sanju is removed from the team, there is always a discussion, whether he has made a fair run and all that. Ever since Shubman Gill came into the side, and as vice-captain, Sanju would always find it difficult to get into the XI,” Ashwin shared in a video on his YouTube channel.
Ashwin suggested to the team management to try Samson at number 3, if they wanted to include him at all because of his ability to play against spin.
“Sanju has not played enough at number 5 and Jitesh Sharma is there in the side because of his finishing qualities. That was the role he played for RCB so it was always going to be difficult for Sanju. If you play against Sanju, play him at number 3 and use him against spin,” he added.
Samson was left out ahead of Jitesh despite having clinched a decent Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy for Kerala in 2025. He registered 233 runs in six matches and batted 137.86. Jitesh had a relatively disappointing run in the SMAT compared to Samson.
In the meantime, India recorded a massive 101-run win in the opening match at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack. Jitesh, who leveled at the end of India’s innings, scored an unbeaten 5-ball 10 and took four catches behind the wicket.
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