End Of The Road For Sanju Samson? Has Shubman Gill’s Entry Made The Difference
When Ajit Agarkar, the chairman of selectors, faced the media to announce India’s Asia Cup 2025 squad, few expected his remarks to sting as much as they did for Sanju Samson’s admirers. In just a few words, Agarkar may have revealed the harsh truth – Samson’s spot as a guaranteed starter in India’s T20I side could be slipping away.
“Sanju was playing because Shubman and Yashasvi were not available at that point. So was Abhishek,” Agarkar admitted. “Abhishek’s performances make it hard to leave him out, plus his bowling is handy. Like I said, Shubman was the vice-captain the last time we played T20Is with a full squad, right after the last World Cup in Sri Lanka. Now that he is available, he has been picked.”
That statement may have sounded like a dagger to Samson’s fans. For a cricketer who has carried Kerala’s hopes in a sport dominated by bigger states, this Asia Cup was seen as a golden opportunity to cement his place. Instead, the selectors have turned to Shubman Gill, reinstated as vice-captain and the man many believe is the natural successor to Virat Kohli.
The Gill Factor
There is little doubt about Gill’s talent. Twice in the last three IPL seasons, he has crossed 650 runs, and his strike rate has hovered around the high 140s. He is seen not just as an opener but as the future face of Indian cricket across formats. With him being appointed vice-captain, the message from the selectors is clear: he plays, and he opens.
But where does that leave Sanju Samson?
Over the past year, Samson has quietly built one of the most explosive records in T20 internationals. Since the T20 World Cup 2024, he is one of only three batters in the world to have scored over 400 runs at a strike rate above 180 – the other being India’s own Abhishek Sharma. His partnership with Abhishek at the top of the order brought fearlessness and flair, often giving India flying starts.
Yet, that hasn’t been enough to secure him a permanent spot.
Changing Goalposts for Samson
Samson’s career has been defined by shifting narratives. Early on, critics dismissed him as inconsistent and questioned his temperament. Just when he began to prove them wrong with runs, stability, and improved maturity – the standards changed again. Now, the discussion has moved to long-term planning, all-format captains, and leadership succession.
Former India opener Aakash Chopra captured the sentiment when he said:
“India seems to be moving in the direction of an all-format captain. With Shubman Gill’s return, Sanju Samson’s fate has more or less been sealed; he won’t feature in the playing XI now. You won’t drop Tilak Varma or Hardik Pandya, which means Samson sits out, and Jitesh Sharma will likely get the nod again. With Gill as vice-captain, he will definitely open. This essentially pushes Samson out of the XI.”
Kerala’s Lone Star Under Pressure
For Kerala, a state with little history of producing national cricketing icons, Samson is more than just a cricketer – he’s a symbol of hope. His every selection or omission sparks debates far beyond stadiums, often blending into discussions of representation, opportunity, and bias within Indian cricket.
This Asia Cup, many felt, could be his chance to finally silence doubts and become a mainstay. Instead, the selectors’ decision has once again pushed him to the fringes, where injuries, rotations, or rest for senior players might offer him a window back.
The Bigger Question: What Is the Selection Criteria?
The debate now goes beyond Samson. What exactly determines a player’s place in the Indian team? Is it consistent performance, role definition, or long-term vision? Perhaps it’s a complex mix of all three. But as Gautam Gambhir once tweeted, calling Samson one of the best wicketkeeper-batters in India, the question lingers: why does he never get a prolonged run despite numbers that scream otherwise?
For Sanju Samson, the timing feels cruel. For his fans, it feels all too familiar. And for Indian cricket, it raises the uncomfortable reality that sometimes, talent alone isn’t enough – especially when the system seems to be chasing a larger vision.
As the Asia Cup unfolds, one thing is certain: if Samson is forced to take the back seat again, Kerala’s cricket lovers will watch on with heavy hearts, wondering if their star will ever truly get his due.