There is a strong possibility that Pakistan will tour Sri Lanka in January 2026, with discussions currently underway between the two cricket boards. If finalized, the series could see Pakistan play three T20 internationals in Colombo on January 8, 10, and 12. However, sources have indicated that the final schedule will be confirmed only after resolving certain pending matters.

This proposed series could further complicate the issue of No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for Pakistani players participating in the Big Bash League (BBL). The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had previously suspended players’ NOCs after the Asia Cup, and with a January series on the cards, several players might be forced to miss part of the Australian league.

The BBL is scheduled from December 14, 2025, to January 25, 2026, with seven Pakistani players lined up to participate. Babar Azam is set to play for the Sydney Sixers, Mohammad Rizwan and Hassan Khan for Melbourne Renegades, Shaheen Afridi for Brisbane Heat, Hasan Ali for Adelaide Strikers, Haris Rauf for Melbourne Stars, and Shadab Khan for Sydney Thunder. While Babar and Rizwan are currently not in Pakistan’s T20I setup, both could make a return ahead of the T20 World Cup. Shadab, who is recovering from injury, and Shaheen remain key figures in the national side.

ALSO SEE: BCCI commits major error, confuses Sarfaraz Khan with his brother Musheer Khan

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s immediate focus remains on their upcoming home season. They are set to host Sri Lanka for three ODIs from November 11 to 15, followed by a proposed T20 tri-series from November 17 to 29 involving Afghanistan. However, with tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan escalating, the latter’s participation is now uncertain, and PCB may need to find a replacement team.

The January tour will also serve as crucial preparation for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, which Sri Lanka will co-host. For Pakistan, the series could provide an ideal opportunity to acclimatize to local conditions ahead of the mega event.

India's left-arm fast bowler, Arshdeep Singh, has completely amazed fans by his new car transformation. Rather than get a new luxurious car, he made a decision to take the old Toyota Fortuner and change it into a Lexus-like SUV. The incredible transformation has gone viral on social media, and many fans have commented positive vibes on his choice.

Indian cricketers are known for owning expensive cars like Lamborghinis and Range Rovers, but Arshdeep took a different route. A video shared online shows him unveiling his modified SUV. In the clip, he removes the cover to reveal a beautifully redesigned Toyota Fortuner Type 1 fitted with a full Lexus-inspired body kit. The front now features a large Lexus-style grille, stylish LED headlights, and new DRLs that give it a bold look.

The front bumper has been improved with new fog lamp housing, while the rear has custom LED taillights and a new bumper. Collectively, these latest enhancements make the Fortuner look like a brand-new luxury car. The stylish design gives Arshdeep's taste and creativity.

A new car look inside and out

The interior of Arshdeep's Fortuner is just impressive as the exterior. The dashboard and roof liner are dark blue, but then you have cream-coloured leather on the seats and pillars creating a dual-tone luxury finish. The new design adds comfort and elegance to the luxury SUV.

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A post shared by JASPREET SINGH SIKAND (@sikandcar)

See Also: Sanju Samson set to be Captain of Delhi Capitals in IPL 2026: Report

Interestingly, even after the major cosmetic upgrade, the SUV’s mechanical setup remains the same. It still runs on a 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine that delivers 169 horsepower and 343 Nm of torque.

On the cricket front, Arshdeep Singh was part of India’s Asia Cup 2025-winning squad and is set to tour Australia next for the ODI and T20I series. Although he missed his Test debut in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, the left-arm pacer continues to be an important part of India’s white-ball setup. He recently reached a special milestone by becoming the first Indian bowler to take 100 wickets in T20 internationals.

The Indian cricket team will depart for Australia in two separate batches on October 15 from New Delhi to play a three-match ODI series followed by a five-match T20I contest. The decision to split the travel schedule was made due to logistical challenges and limited availability of business-class tickets for the long-haul journey.

According to sources in the BCCI, one group of players will fly out in the morning, while the second batch is expected to leave later in the evening. The team will travel to Perth, where the first ODI of the series will be played on October 19.

This white-ball tour comes immediately after India’s ongoing home assignment against the West Indies, with the second and final Test in Delhi scheduled to conclude on October 14. Players part of both the Test and ODI squads will regroup in the capital before departure.

Rohit, Kohli and Iyer to join in Delhi

Former captains Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, along with newly appointed vice-captain Shreyas Iyer, are expected to join the rest of the ODI squad in New Delhi ahead of the team’s departure. “Virat and Rohit will touch down in the capital either on the day of departure or a day prior,” a source told PTI.

If the ongoing domestic or international commitments end earlier than anticipated, some players might be granted a short break to visit their families before assembling in Delhi.

ALSO SEE: Canada Super 60 League 2025: Schedule, Teams, Squads & Live Streaming Details

Shubman Gill takes charge of ODI side

In a major decision, Shubman Gill has been named captain of India’s ODI team, succeeding Rohit Sharma. The move reflects the selectors’ focus on future planning and leadership transition. Despite speculation surrounding their ODI futures, both Rohit and Kohli are understood to have conveyed their intent to continue until the 2027 ODI World Cup.

Team dinner hosted by Gautam Gambhir

Before the squad’s departure, head coach Gautam Gambhir has invited all players for a team dinner at his residence in Rajinder Nagar, Delhi. The informal gathering aims to build team spirit and unity ahead of what promises to be a challenging overseas tour.

India’s ODI squad: Shubman Gill (Captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (Vice-Captain), KL Rahul (WK), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, Dhruv Jurel (WK)

India’s T20I squad: Suryakumar Yadav (Captain), Shubman Gill (Vice-Captain), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Rinku Singh, Sanju Samson (WK), Jitesh Sharma (WK), Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy

Indian wicket-keeper batter Sanju Samson said he is ready to do any role to stay in India’s T20I team and that he can’t say no to anything. He spoke about his demotion in the batting order during the Asia Cup 2025 and made it clear that he is willing to do whatever is needed for the country.

Samson has become an important part of India’s T20I team. After opening the batting for almost a year, he had to bat lower down the order in India’s winning Asia Cup 2025 campaign. With vice-captain Shubman Gill returning to the team, Samson mostly batted at No. 5 and even once did not bat in the top seven.

However, the wicket-keeper batter has reflected on the situation in a lighthearted manner, stating that he's ready to bowl for India as well if need be. "I think when you wear the Indian jersey, you can't say no to anything. I've worked really hard to wear that Indian jersey and stay in that dressing room. I take a lot of pride in doing my job for my country," Samson said at the CEAT Cricket Rating Awards 2025.

Samson’s Mental Strength and Key Contributions

"Even if you want me to bat at No. 9, maybe bowl some left-arm spin, whatever job for the country, I don't mind," Samson stated.

Samson revealed the mental development he's been through despite having a stop-start international career. "I recently completed 10 years of international cricket, but I've played only 40 games in those 10 years. Honestly, I put in a post saying the numbers don't tell the whole story, but I'm really proud of the person I am today, and I'm really proud of the challenges I went through. Instead of focusing on the outside noise, I started a habit of focusing on the internal noise," Samson said.

Watch the video here

The way Sanju Samson saying he can bat at even number 9 for his country, bowl left arm spin too but the pain behind this smile is clearly visible Gautam Gambhir please give Sanju his opening position back 🥺 pic.twitter.com/UeSizBaxPX

— Aditya Soni (@imAdsoni) October 7, 2025

See Also: BCCI planning to take action against ACC Chief Mohsin Naqvi: Report

Batting at No. 5, Samson played a few crucial cameos in important matches in the Asia Cup 2025. He scored 39 against Sri Lanka in the final Super Four match and 24 against Pakistan in the final at a critical juncture, helping India secure key victories.

Cricket Australia has officially announced that public ticket allocations for the upcoming T20I between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) have been completely sold out. The match, scheduled for Friday, October 31, has achieved this milestone more than three weeks before the game, highlighting the massive excitement among fans. This adds to what is shaping up to be one of Australia’s biggest cricket summers, with public allocations for all 12 days of the Ashes series also fully booked.

The AFL member tickets went on sale today, followed by MCC member tickets being available from tomorrow. This increased demand is an indication of the immense hype surrounding the India-Australia rivalry. Overall, ticket sales for the Men’s ODI and T20I series have crossed an impressive 175,000, with only about 30,000 tickets still available across the remaining eight matches of the tour.

Public tickets for matches at the Sydney Cricket Ground and Manuka Oval have already been exhausted, while the Adelaide ODI and the Gabba T20I are also nearing full capacity. Both venues have fewer than 5,000 public tickets left each, according to Cricket Australia.

CA CEO Todd Greenberg on Fan Enthusiasm

Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg expressed delight over the overwhelming fan response. He said, “The huge crowd anticipated for the Melbourne T20I is another strong indicator of the incredible interest in this series. We’re thrilled to see fans embracing the Australia vs India contest with such passion, and we look forward to delivering a world-class experience both on and off the field.”

Greenberg further added, “To have over 175,000 tickets sold with 13 days until the first ODI in Perth is a phenomenal result. It speaks volumes about the strength of the rivalry and the enthusiasm of fans across the country.”

See Also: WATCH: Sanju Samson bowls to Liverpool legend Michael Owen during Mumbai event

Australia vs India 2025: Full Schedule

Pakistan cricket is facing a heated contested selection debate ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is reportedly considering bringing Babar Azam back to strengthen the T20I squad for the marquee event. In the meantime, Salman Ali Agha's role as Pakistan's captain and batter for T20I is still in question after his below-par performance during the Asia Cup 2025, as he scored only 72 runs in seven games at an average of 12 and a strike rate of 80.89.

Despite that, Salman continues to get support from Pakistan selectors and head coach Mike Hesson, although in PCB circles, concerns about his inconsistent performances are rising. According to journalist Saleem Khaliq, Hesson and the selectors remain determined to keep Salman as T20I captain, but some PCB officials have raised doubts about his ability to lead the batting line-up as the team prepares for the 2026 T20 World Cup.

The PCB is also reportedly considering recalling former captain Babar Azam for the upcoming three-match T20I series against South Africa at home. But the team management has raised some concerns regarding Babar's return, mentioning the concerns of team balance and strategy. Hesson had earlier stated that Babar must enhance his strike rate and game against spin if he is to make a T20I return, which was also the reason for his Asia Cup 2025 exclusion.

Split in PCB Over T20I Leadership

Babar Azam has been out of T20Is since the latter part of 2024 due to poor performances and low strike rates, but the PCB feels his experience would bring stability to the T20I team in the run-up to the World Cup. Although the board wishes for his return, the present team management prefers sticking with Salman Ali Agha as captain, and hence the PCB is divided on this matter. It remains uncertain whether Babar will make a comeback for the upcoming T20I series against South Africa.

See Also: 'Can't judge form or fitness of...'- Former selector makes stunning claim on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's selection for Australia ODIs

Earlier, Pakistan made surprise changes to its squad for the two-match Test series against South Africa, dropping fast bowler Aamir Jamal and spinner Faisal Akram, reducing the squad from 18 to 16 players. The first Test begins at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium from October 12 to 16, followed by the second Test at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from October 20 to 24. After the Tests, both teams will play three T20Is and three ODIs between October 28 and November 8.

On the eve of their T20I series against New Zealand, Australia have copped a major blow, with star all-rounder Glenn Maxwell ruled out with a right wrist fracture sustained in a training session in Mount Maunganui. 

The injury happened in the nets when Maxwell was rolling his arm over to Mitchell Owen, who smashed a ball straight back at Maxwell, hitting him flush on the wrist while the 36-year-old was in extreme pain. Maxwell withdrew from training, where he was later ruled out of the three-match series that commences Wednesday at Bay Oval. 

Teammate Matthew Short, who witnessed the incident, said it was a bad hit. “I just saw it out of the corner of my eye. Owen smoked it, then the aftermath was the ball hit maxi on the wrist. It didn’t sound good,” Short told cricket.com.au. “He’s done injuries before, he was disappointed but he’ll be fine.”

Cricket Australia announced that Maxwell will return home and consult a specialist in the next few days. The indication is he may recover in time for the Big Bash League in December, however his availability for the upcoming T20I series against India later this month, is still very much up in the air.

Another injury in an already injury hit period

With Maxwell unavailable, it only adds to Australia’s concerns, after already losing Josh Inglis with a calf injury, leading to Alex Carey being brought back into the fold. Australia also are without Cameron Green, who has turned his attention to Sheffield Shield cricket, ahead of the Ashes. Pat Cummins has been given some time off due to his ongoing lower back complaints, and Nathan Ellis, who is going to miss a couple of games because he stayed at home as his wife was having their first baby.

In recent years, Maxwell has been on the end of some unfortunate injuries, including a freak leg fracture whilst at a birthday party in 2022 and suffering a concussion after falling from a golf cart during the 2023 World Cup, However, he remained an integral part of Australia’s white ball setup, and had only a few weeks ago, contributed in an important role against South Africa.

ALSO SEE: Asia Cup 2025 Trophy Standoff: Mohsin Naqvi Holds Trophy in Dubai Hotel, BCCI Demands Immediate Handover

Philippe earns surprise recall

Selectors have named Josh Philippe, the wicketkeeper-batter for the Sydney Sixers, to replace the absent Maxwell. Philippe has not played for Australia since last December and has earned his recall after performing well on the recent Australia A tour of India, where he scored a century in the unofficial Tests.

While Abbotsford is a backup wicketkeeping option along with Carey, Philippe adds depth to the batting group. His international T20 record is not overly impressive to this point–150 runs in 12 innings at an average of 12.5. This series offers Philippe an outstanding chance to resurrect his T20I career and solidify a place for next year’s T20 World Cup.

Updated Australia squad for NZ T20Is

Mitchell Marsh (c), Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Alex Carey, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Matt Kuhnemann, Mitchell Owen, Josh Philippe, Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa

The Asia Cup 2025 has produced several subplots, and each of them narrates a unique but intriguing story. Sports offer a great stage, similar to life, real and unscripted. In a format mainly run by tactics and statistics, each ball is an event, and the best form of data analysis dictates its outcome. Any change, experiment, or shuffle is potentially backed by the right blend of concrete game plans, experiential learnings, and holds a certain meaning. If the results are favourable, desired, and that significance persists frequently, then the purpose gets upheld, lest it solely turns into a discussion in hindsight. T20, international cricket's shortest format, is extremely demanding and subject to intense and perennial evolution. With plenty of data and insights available, it requires a deep understanding of both the current situation and foresight.

Indian cricket has always been fortunate and privileged to be blessed with an abundance of talent. The domestic structure here is immensely organised, equipped with world-class and international standard facilities, and supervised under great coaching. The by-product is players who are supremely skillful and a secure investment for the future. The 20-over game has shifted the way the sport is looked at. The transition implies that squads are now built with an influx of all-rounders, drifting away from the notion of including just pure batters or bowlers. Teams look for players who are multi-dimensional in their skills, and thus including a maximum of them improves the balance of the side. Captaining such units is a dream because the skipper is spoilt for choice in all facets of the game. It imparts flexibility and allows a sustained form of aggression through all departments. 

See Also: Top 5 experts criticize India’s batting order shifts vs Bangladesh in Asia Cup 2025

Despite India being on a winning streak so far, in the ongoing Asia Cup 2025, and now gearing up for the final on 28th September, it is their batting order that has been under some form of spotlight. The team has been playing with an astonishing eight proper batters since their premier match of the continental tournament, and except for the openers, no other player has their own fixed position to bat. This situation demands both flexibility and maximum individual efficiency, regardless of the concurrent game status and time of going into the middle. The team combination has permitted them to adopt an all-out aggressive tactic to post as high a total as possible and provide their quality bowlers sufficient runs to defend. Different ground dimensions, variable pitch conditions, opposition bowlers, match-ups, and instincts have also influenced the batting order and, at times, enforced the group to maintain a left-right combination in the middle. 

India have played five matches yet in the continental competition and are slated to play two more. So far, they have not had a pre-decided batting line-up, and the positions are determined largely while the match is on. In some matches, the order has been a tad wayward and has attracted criticism from several former players, leaving them scratching their heads. Against weaker teams or in relatively insignificant games, the senior batters might give their space to those who have not had much exposure preceding that match. During dead rubbers, this might be more prevalent. For example, the described mould was quite apparent against Oman and Pakistan (super fours), with regards to the batting positions of the skipper Suryakumar Yadav and the wicketkeeper Sanju Samson.

Either advantageous or not, it can't be comprehended this soon because the sample size is way too small. However, if it persists until the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka, it will become a norm, and the players might get accustomed to it. Any change takes time, and the players adapting to it would fit right into the system. The real test would come against tougher opposition and in a crunch match situation. Until then, however long it sustains, it will be no short of relevance, challenges, and surprises, for sure. Again, it will be either a hit or a miss, and that will be judged based on both individual and team performances. If India keep recording wins, and with the same crop of players, this batting shuffle might lose its sheen and discard itself from the mainstream. 

🗣️ 'When you change his position, you are obliged to give him a longer rope'@cricketaakash on the Sanju Samson question #TimeOut pic.twitter.com/RcayLjl7C3

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) September 24, 2025

India's current set of batters in T20Is (As seen in the Asia Cup 2025)

Abhishek Sharma (opener), Shubman Gill (opener), Suryakumar Yadav (c), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube, and Axar Patel. 

It seems Pakistan’s Babar Azam experiment didn’t last too long. After being left out of the Asia Cup 2025 squad due to concerns over his strike rate, the former captain is now on the verge of making a comeback for the upcoming home T20I series against South Africa.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had taken a bold step by sidelining Babar and Mohammad Rizwan, hoping that a fresh batting approach would carry the team forward. But back-to-back defeats against India exposed the fragile top order, forcing selectors to reconsider their stance.

Pakistan’s struggle without Babar

Pakistan’s batting in the Asia Cup has been far from convincing. While bowlers and middle-order players have kept the side afloat, the top-order failures have become a glaring issue. Mohammad Haris, who was given the gloves and a crucial batting role, has failed to justify his place. According to reports, Rizwan could also be recalled if Haris doesn’t improve in the remaining matches.

Interestingly, Saleem Khaliq of The Express Tribune revealed that the PCB had already explored the possibility of sending Babar to the UAE midway through the Asia Cup. However, organisers ruled that squad changes could only be made in case of injury, leaving Pakistan stuck with their initial choices.

Captaincy uncertainty

Another key development surrounds Salman Ali Agha. Appointed as T20I captain for the Asia Cup, his future in both leadership and playing roles depends heavily on his performances. If he fails to deliver, PCB may not hesitate to remove him from the setup altogether.

ALSO SEE: Kumar Sangakkara all set to be head coach of Rajasthan Royals for IPL 2026: Report

The return of stability

Babar Azam’s return seems almost inevitable now. Despite criticism over his strike rate, he remains one of Pakistan’s most reliable run-getters and is currently the second-highest run scorer in T20I history, just behind Rohit Sharma. His calm presence at the crease is something the current Pakistan batting unit has sorely missed.

Head coach Mike Hesson has always maintained that the door for Babar’s return was never shut, and insiders suggest he too supported the decision to bring him back. With the 2026 T20 World Cup approaching, stability in the batting lineup is essential and Babar is expected to provide just that.

South Africa series the turning point?

If all goes as expected, Babar will return for the three-match T20I series against South Africa in Pakistan, scheduled from October 28 to November 1. It will mark his first T20I appearance since December 2024 and could be the start of Pakistan reshaping its team balance with an eye on the future.

For now, the big question remains, will Babar walk straight back into his role as an opener, or will Pakistan look to slot him in differently? Either way, his comeback is set to be one of the most closely followed storylines in Pakistan cricket this season.

Team squad selections and player batting orders have always taken their places in the backdrop of the successes and failures of Indian cricket. Decisions based on instincts, recency biases, and impromptu match situations leave players and fans bewildered and unknowingly disadvantaged. Consequently, their talent and skills remain underutilised, and this inflicts self-doubt on the players themselves. Irrespective of the disturbance caused to the team's balance and its potential effect on the outcome of the game, such calls are difficult and require players to be mentally strong, selfless, and resilient. In a sport like cricket, having a team-first approach is imperative and seems to be the only fix for players who are floated along the line-up for the sake of flexibility. 

In the ongoing Asia Cup 2025, being played in the UAE, India's batting order in their matches played so far has been anything but fixed. Except for the opening pair of Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill, no other batter in the playing eleven is assured of his position. This scenario demands not just flexibility but maximum individual efficiency as well, regardless of the game situation and time of going to bat. The team combination has permitted them to take the field with an astonishing eight proper batters, aiming to adopt an all-out aggressive tactic to post as high a total as possible and provide their quality bowlers sufficient runs to defend. Different ground dimensions, variable pitch conditions, opposition bowlers, and match-ups have also influenced the batting order and, at times, enforced the unit to maintain a left-right combination in the middle. 

See Also: 'We expected...'- India's chief selector breaks silence on Karun Nair's omission from IND vs WI Test squad

The Sanju Samson Conundrum

In the recent couple of years, specifically in 2024 and until early 2025, it seemed that Sanju Samson was being given a long rope as a T20I opener for India, to make that position secure for the Asia Cup 2025 and the subsequent ICC T20 World Cup 2026 in the subcontinent. The elegant Kerala batter, during that phase, did pay back the trust shown in him by producing impressive performances in a couple of bilateral series. Against Bangladesh at home, he was the highest run scorer of the series and capped off his batting prowess by scoring a scintillating ton in Hyderabad. Next, touring South Africa, he smashed a couple of tons and finished the four-match series with an impeccable average of 72. However, when England came to India for a five-match T20I rubber, he had a horrible series, scoring a paltry total of just 51 runs in five innings at a lowly average of 10.20, strike rate of 118, and getting dismissed similarly on all occasions. All these innings, whether high or low, came when opening the batting for India. 

Now, fast forward to the Asia Cup 2025, and the wicket-keeper batter has had to give up his starting position to make way for Shubman Gill as India's new T20I opener, coupling the latter with his domestic teammate and southpaw, Abhishek Sharma. Moreover, Samson has even been unable to consolidate his position in the top order and finds himself late and low. He has been pushed down to bat in the lower middle and thrust to finish the game, subject to overs remaining, with the tailenders. Proceeding in this manner, taking India's potent batting and opposition bowlers' weaknesses into consideration, he hardly gets to face balls, and when he does, they are in the unlikeliest of circumstances. Only against Oman, he was sent at number three and displayed a man-of-the-match performance by scoring 56 runs off 45 balls, smashing three 4s and three 6s. Surprisingly, against Bangladesh in the Super-Fours, Axar Patel was sent ahead of him, leaving everyone flabbergasted and amazed. 

The player who plays for the Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) admitted being asked to become flexible in batting by the head coach Gautam Gambhir and team management, in his recent interview. His scoring stats at different position numbers will certainly aid in comprehending the utility he brings to the team, and further help in differentiating the value of the returns while playing at his natural or unnatural positions.  

Sanju Samson's Overall T20I Stats

Sanju Samson's T20I Batting Stats (Position-Wise)

It is worth noting and taking into account that since Samson has been made to not open the innings for India, the team hasn't crossed 200 runs as a unit even once. This opposes the previous tallies, when on quite a few instances the double ton landmark was achieved. Sanju was the protagonist of those totals in the majority of the cases and led as an opener. It is clearly visible that the South Indian batter boasts his highest average and run-scoring rate while taking the strike as an opening batter, and his returns dwindle as he is pushed down the pecking order. This implies that the big-hitting player is at his explosive best when sent in first, and the longer such scenarios remain discontinued, as in the contemporary matches, the more injustice will be drawn upon the batter.

Consequently, it would seem like the Indian team management, while undermining Sanju's potential, is wasting his talent by making him bat quite lower in the ranks. The question persists, is likely to get broader and more serious, and must be dealt with sooner for both the player's and the team's cricketing health. Asia Cup 2025 won't throw much of a challenge, and the issue might get swept under the carpet, but moving ahead, particularly for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, it might emerge as a major conundrum.