Mohammad Kaif reveals the actual reason behind Jitesh Sharma replacing Sanju Samson in the playing XI

Former Indian cricketer and analyst Mohammad Kaif has opened up on the keeper-batter Sanju Samson being benched in the third and fourth T20Is against Australia Down Under. Notably, Jitesh Sharma replaced the Kerala keeper-batter in the playing XI.

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Speaking exclusively on his YouTube channel, Shubman Gill’s elevation as the vice-captain of the Indian T20I team is the actual reason behind Samson being demoted to the middle-order and eventually being benched in the playing XI.

"If Shubman Gill was not there in the team, then Sanju Samson would have played. There is no confusion about it. Since Shubman Gill has come into the team as a vice-captain, he is playing all the matches. On picking one between Samson or Jitesh Sharma for the middle order, they are thinking Jitesh is a better choice to bat at number 5 or 6, since the latter plays at that position in the Indian Premier League as well," Mohammad Kaif said on his YouTube channel.

"As the team is aiming to groom Gill as a future captain and player, Sanju Samson has been overshadowed. Jitesh is going to play at number 5 or 6," he added.

It’s important to note that Samson has amassed three excellent centuries as an opener in the shortest format of the game. However, with Gill coming into the playing XI, he has been demoted to the middle-order during the Asia Cup 2025 campaign. 

"Sanju's record is excellent, a strike rate of around 150. But they are backing players by their position in the batting order," he concluded.

While he didn't come out to bat in the first T20I, he scored two runs at No.3 in the second T20I. However, he was later benched for the third and fourth T20Is. India will next take on Australia in the fifth and final T20I at The Gabba in Brisbane on Saturday, November 8.

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