Suryakumar Yadav Explains Sanju Samson's Replacement by Shubman Gill in T20I Squad

In a recent press conference, India's T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav addressed the controversial decision to replace Sanju Samson with Shubman Gill as an opener for the upcoming T20I series against South Africa. Yadav explained the rationale behind the selection, highlighting Gill's prior experience and Samson's adaptability within the batting order. Despite Samson's strong performance in recent matches, the team management opted for Gill, raising questions among fans and analysts. This article delves into the details of their performances and the strategic decisions shaping the team's lineup.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 8, 2025, 16:06 IST

Suryakumar Yadav Discusses Team Changes Ahead of T20I Series

The captain of India's T20I team, Suryakumar Yadav, recently addressed the ongoing discussions regarding the substitution of Sanju Samson with Shubman Gill as an opener for the first T20I match against South Africa. This match is scheduled for December 12 at the Barabati Cricket Stadium in Cuttack, Odisha.

Shubman Gill had been absent from T20I matches since the Sri Lanka series last year, focusing instead on Test and ODI formats. He made his return to the T20I squad during the Asia Cup, taking over the opening position from Sanju Samson. Despite Samson's impressive performance, which included three centuries, he was moved down the batting order to make room for Gill, who has been appointed as the vice-captain for the T20I team.

This decision has led to debates among fans and analysts, questioning the selectors and management's choice to drop Samson from the opening role, especially given his consistent performances leading up to Gill's return.

Reasons Behind the Change: Samson vs. Gill

On the eve of the T20I match against South Africa, Suryakumar Yadav was questioned about the rationale behind replacing Sanju Samson with Shubman Gill as the opener. Yadav provided a straightforward answer, indicating that while Samson had performed well in the absence of Gill, the team felt that Gill deserved the opening position upon his return.

Yadav stated, "Sanju did well when he opened, but Shubman has prior experience in that role from the Sri Lanka series, so he earned that spot back."

Performance Insights: Gill vs. Samson

Shubman Gill's return to the T20I format was not as successful as anticipated, as he managed only 127 runs at an average of 21.16 across seven matches during the Asia Cup 2025. In contrast, Sanju Samson, despite facing challenges in the middle order, outperformed Gill with 132 runs, including a half-century, averaging 33.00 in the same number of matches.

Flexibility in Batting Order: A Key Strategy

Suryakumar Yadav emphasized the importance of flexibility within the batting lineup, particularly regarding Sanju Samson's role. He noted that Samson is adaptable and willing to bat in various positions, which is crucial for the team's strategy.

Yadav remarked, "We have provided Sanju with opportunities, and he is open to batting at any position. It’s beneficial to have players who can adapt to different roles, whether it’s batting at three or six. Both players are valuable assets to the squad, and having them available for different roles is advantageous for our team dynamics."

Sanju Samson's T20I Career Stats

In his T20I career, Sanju Samson has accumulated a total of 995 runs, which includes three centuries and three fifties, with an average of 25.51 over 51 matches.