“Last Chance for Sanju Samson?” – Kris Srikkanth’s Big Warning on Asia Cup Selection

• Kris Srikkanth believes Sanju Samson is batting at No. 5 only to make room for Shreyas Iyer’s return.
• Samson has scored 3 T20I hundreds as an opener but has struggled in the middle order.
• Srikkanth warns Samson this could be his “last chance” before Iyer replaces him.
• India face Pakistan next in Asia Cup 2025 on September 14 in Dubai.

Former India cricketer Kris Srikkanth has sparked a major debate around team selection after claiming that wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson’s batting position at No. 5 in the Asia Cup 2025 opener was a move to pave the way for Shreyas Iyer’s comeback into the Indian XI.

Ahead of the match against the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Samson’s spot in the XI was already under speculation. Many believed Jitesh Sharma would be picked ahead of him in the middle order. Samson’s chances looked even slimmer after Shubman Gill was named vice-captain, with expectations that he would open alongside Abhishek Sharma. However, head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Suryakumar Yadav opted for continuity and handed Samson the No. 5 role.

Samson’s selection has divided opinions because of his contrasting record at different batting positions. The Kerala star has been in stellar form as an opener, scoring three T20I hundreds in the last year alone, amassing 522 runs at the top of the order. But his numbers in the middle order tell a different story — at No. 5, he has only scored 62 runs at an average of 20.62, raising questions about whether he can adapt to the role.

Srikkanth didn’t mince his words on his YouTube channel, claiming the move has little to do with strategy and more with accommodating Shreyas Iyer in the near future.

“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,” said the former India opener.

Srikkanth even issued a stern warning for Samson, suggesting that his place in the squad could vanish soon.

“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.”

The ex-selector also raised doubts about Samson’s suitability as a finisher, insisting that Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube are better options for closing out games in T20 cricket.

“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. 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?” Srikkanth added.

Samson, known for his flamboyant stroke play, has often struggled with consistency at the international level despite his brilliance in the Indian Premier League (IPL). With the Asia Cup serving as a dress rehearsal for next year’s T20 World Cup, his performances in the middle order will be closely monitored.

India will now face their arch-rivals Pakistan on September 14 at the Dubai International Stadium. For Samson, the game presents not just an opportunity to silence his critics but also to prove that he can adapt to a challenging role in the middle order when the team needs him most.