[WATCH] IND vs SL: Sanju Samson shows frustration after missing half-century in Asia Cup 2025 Super 4 clash
Sanju Samson showed frustration after falling for 39 against Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup 2025, as experts called for stability in his batting role.
India’s wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson shows his frustration after he was dismissed against Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup 2025 Super 4 match at the Dubai International Stadium. Samson had some inconsistency recently and was upset about not capitalizing after a solid start.
The Kerala batter has not looked at his best since losing his place as an opener to India’s vice-captain Shubman Gill. Samson’s finest performances in T20Is have usually come while opening, where he scored several centuries. However, since Gill’s return to the top of the order, Samson has been pushed down the batting lineup, and his rhythm has suffered.
In recent matches, Samson has been slotted in the middle order, including as low as No. 8 against Bangladesh. Against Sri Lanka, however, he looked more comfortable batting at No.5, playing some impressive strokes and appearing set for a half-century before falling short.
Samson’s Dismissal and Expert Opinion
Samson scored 39 runs off 23 balls, including one four and three sixes. On the third ball of the 16th over, he walked down the track to hit a full delivery from Dasun Shanaka but mistimed his shot. The ball flew towards extra cover, where Sri Lankan skipper Charith Asalanka backtracked and took a stunning reverse-cup catch. Samson, visibly angry with himself, screamed in frustration as he walked off.
Watch the video here
Speaking on ESPNCricinfo before the match, former India pacer Varun Aaron suggested that Samson should be consistently used in the middle order. “He's not getting much batting time, and when he does get batting, he's obviously batting way outside his position. So Samson is one of those batters who they would want to give him some game time, but then again, there's no point of batting Samson in a game like this at number three when he's not going to bat at number three in a final. So you rather bat Sanju Samson at his place, and I would say don't chop and change the batting lineup too much. Just make sure your batting lineup stays the same as they would in a final against maybe Pakistan,” he said.
Aaron also predicted India’s smooth progress, adding: “Absolutely, it has to be a straightforward one. India going through, sailing through, just like the way they've been doing in the whole tournament.”
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