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Yashasvi Jaiswal Or Sanju Samson: Who Will Be Better Opening Option For India In T20Is

Probuddha Bhattacharjee

Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sanju Samson [Source: AFP Media]Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sanju Samson [Source: AFP Media]

The Indian cricket environment is getting charged with the expected Asia Cup 2025 squad. Reports and speculations are flying around about who would get the call and who would be snubbed for the tournament. 

Some recent reports suggest that Yashavsi Jaiswal might miss out on Asia Cup 2025 selection, with Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma being the preferred opening combination. However, this could be a crucial issue, and the management is currently facing a selection dilemma. This rumoured exclusion of Jaiswal has sparked intense debate among the fans of Indian cricket.

The choice between Jaiswal and Samson extends beyond just the numbers. It brings forth what India's strategic approach would be and the path the management is thinking ahead for the team, keeping in mind the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026.

Yashasvi Jaiswal vs Sanju Samson: Current Form

Let us talk about the recent T20 performances of the two players. In the last edition of the Indian Premier League, Yashasvi scored 559 runs at a strike rate of 160. On the other hand, Samson's IPL 2025 journey was plagued with injury, and he managed to score 285 runs in nine matches at a strike rate of just over 140.

Besides, in the five T20I matches that Samson has played in 2025, he averages just around 10 with a strike rate that is even below 120.

Based on only the current form, Jaiswal seems way ahead of Sanju Samson. 

Yashasvi Jaiswal vs Sanju Samson: Suitability To The Current Indian Approach

After winning the T20 World Cup 2024, the Indian team has made a strategic shift in their approach to T20 batting. Under Gambhir, the team looks to go for a more all-out approach in all the phases of the game. For this strategy to click, the playing combination would require a batter at the top who is consistent in giving quickfire starts.

If we look at the IPL strike rate of the two players in the last two editions, we will get a clearer picture as to who suits India better. In IPL 2024, Jaiswal had a striker rate of 155.91, compared to Samson's 153.46. Again in IPL, Jaiswal had a strike rate of 159.51, whereas Samson's scoring rate was around 140.39. 

Along with this, if we consider the average, we find that the southpaw has been more consistent than the Kerala-born wicketkeeper batter. So, this suggests that having Jaiswal on the side will not only give India a more aggressive and consistent opener, but it would also provide them a batter who can adjust his game better as per the demands.

Yashasvi Jaiswal vs Sanju Samson: Variety In The Batting Line-up

What we could gather from the report is that there is a chance that Tilak Varma might be the number three or four in the batting order. With Abhishek Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal opening the innings, it will be three left-handed batters at the top of the order. On the other hand, the presence of Sanju Samson in the opening slot will give India a right-hand-left-hand combination.

We have seen that since Gambhir has taken up the reins of the Indian team, he has stressed keeping the right-left combination going throughout the line-up. Considering this strategic deployment from Gambhir, Samson seems a good fit for the role.

Conclusion

While Samson provides tactical variety and flexibility to the combination, Jaiswal seems a better fit when current form and suitability to the batting approach are considered.

The dilemma for the selectors will be whether they reward current form or give precedence to tactical flexibility.