Rinku replaces Tilak: Decoding Sanju Samson's T20I future amid India's puzzling selection

Sanju Samson has completely been ignored in T20Is [Source: AFP]

In a significant development, Australia won the toss and elected to bowl first in the fifth and final T20I against India at the Gabba in Brisbane. Despite losing the fourth T20I convincingly, the hosts went with an unchanged XI. On the contrary, India roped in Rinku Singh, resting Tilak Varma for the decider. 

Although India had Sanju Samson, who could've come in as Tilak's like-for-like replacement at number three, they decided to ensure some game time for Rinku Singh. Although Samson has played only five innings at three for India, he has remarkable numbers at the same position in IPL, scoring 3096 runs at an average of 38.22 and a strike rate of 143.33. 

The Kerala-born batter was dropped from India XI midway through the Australia series, and India's decision to ignore him even in Tilak's absence certainly raises doubts over Samson's T20I future. 

Sanju Samson systematically sidelined from India's T20I plans

(Samson's comparison with Abhishek in T20Is from BAN series until Asia Cup)

After Rohit Sharma's T20I retirement, India allotted Sanju Samson an opening slot, where the keeper-batter performed admirably alongside Abhishek Sharma. 

The aforementioned stats suggest that although Abhishek Sharma's strike rate was on the higher side, Samson registered a higher average while also scoring more runs than his partner between October 6, 2024, and September 9, 2025, the period during which he opened in all matches he played. 

However, despite Samson's prolific returns, India brought Shubman Gill back, pushing him down the order in the Asia Cup. The Kerala batter appeared sporadically at number three with modest success before eventually getting sidelined from the lineup. 

What the future holds for Sanju Samson?

As things stand, Shubman Gill has formally replaced Samson at the opening slot, being the frontrunner as India's next all-format captain. Meanwhile, Jitesh Sharma has earned the wicketkeeper's position in the middle order. 

Frankly speaking, Shubman Gill hasn't lived up to the expectations since replacing Samson as the opener. In 12 innings, the batter has managed 259 runs, including an unbeaten knock of 29 runs in the rain-affected fifth T20I, at a modest average of 28.77. Meanwhile, Jitesh Sharma has yet to cement his place, having amassed 25 runs in two outings since his comeback. 

It's evident that India, having named Shubman Gill as their vice-captain, will give the Punjab batter a long rope to prove his mettle in T20Is. However, if he extends his lean patch and Jitesh registers a string of failures, we may see Samson making his way back to the Indian playing XI.

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