Gautam Gambhir Faces Backlash for ‘Illogical’ U-Turn on Sanju Samson in Bangladesh Match

Team management’s failure to accommodate Sanju Samson was evident, as he couldn’t be slotted into the top seven.

Gautam Gambhir Faces Criticism for Samson’s Batting Position

India head coach Gautam Gambhir came under criticism on Wednesday during their second Super Four match in the ongoing Asia Cup 2025 against Bangladesh for holding Sanju Samson at the No. 8 spot in the batting order. The decision followed assurances from India assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate the previous day that Samson was backed as a No. 5 option.

Samson was not selected as India’s designated opener for the Asia Cup, despite having opened in all 12 innings since the T20 World Cup last year, including three centuries. He batted at No. 3 against Oman, scoring a patient fifty, before being sent in at No. 5.

Samson Confirmed as India’s No. 5, But Line-up Shuffle Sparks Backlash

On Tuesday, speaking at the pre-match presser, Ten Doeschate confirmed that Sanju Samson will be backed as India’s No. 5 in T20I cricket, calling him the best fit for the role. “Sanju has had two decent chances and he’s still figuring out how to play that role (at No. 5). The surface got a little bit tired in the Pakistan game. We’re really looking for a No. 5. We believe Sanju is the best man for that job, and we’ve got no doubt he’ll figure out how to play that role in the future,” he said.

However, during the match against Bangladesh, India shuffled the batting order, sending Shivam Dube at No. 3—a move that failed—before picking Hardik Pandya at No. 5. Samson did not bat, as Tilak Varma and Axar Patel came ahead, with India finishing 168 for six in 20 overs.

Furious at the move, former Indian cricketer Dodda Ganesh criticized the decision, tweeting: “Sanju Samson at No. 8 defies any cricketing logic. It’s simply unacceptable.”

Sanju Samson at no 8 defies any cricketing logic. It’s simply unacceptable #AsiaCup

— Dodda Ganesh | ದೊಡ್ಡ ಗಣೇಶ್ (@doddaganesha) September 24, 2025

Abhishek Sharma once again demonstrated why he holds the No. 1 T20I batting ranking, scoring a brilliant 75 off 37 balls. He shared a 77-run opening stand with Shubman Gill in just 38 balls, with 72 runs coming in the powerplay—their best display of the tournament so far.

However, India’s middle and lower order failed to capitalize. Whether it was Gill, Tilak Varma, or captain Suryakumar Yadav, who was brilliantly caught down the leg-side by stand-in captain and keeper Jaker Ali, the rest of the line-up struggled to make an impact, leaving India with a par total of 168 for six.

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