'Sanju has been given enough opportunities'; Indian skipper breaks silence on India’s T20 batting debate

CUTTACK: Indian cricket team captain Suryakumar Yadav has responded to ongoing discussions about the team’s batting order. He said that in T20 cricket, players batting from positions three to seven do not have fixed roles and must remain flexible. He was speaking about the decision to fix Shubman Gill as an opener and the current role of Malayali player Sanju Samson.

“When Sanju first came into the team, he batted in the top order. But now, except for the openers, everyone must be ready to play in any position. Sanju has done well as an opener. But before the Sri Lanka series, Gill was already playing in the top order. So he deserved the opening slot,” Suryakumar said.

Sanju now bats either at No. 3 or No. 5. “Sanju has been given enough opportunities. He is ready to bat at any position. He can bat from No. 3 to No. 6 depending on the situation. Both Gill and Sanju are important for the team. If one opens, the other can play in the lower order, or both can take on different roles. Both of them are big assets,” Suryakumar added.

He was speaking at a press conference ahead of the South Africa series. Suryakumar also said that the return of all-rounder Hardik Pandya from injury will bring balance to the Indian team as it prepares for next year’s T20 World Cup.