Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has questioned the team management for dropping Sanju Samson in the third T20I against Australia at Hobart on Sunday. In place of Samson, Jitesh Sharma got his chance in the final XI.
Chopra highlighted that Sharma didn’t get his opportunity in the Asia Cup when it was assumed he would get the middle order slot after Shubman Gill was appointed as India’s vice-captain. However, Jitesh didn’t get his chance in the continental tournament.
Meanwhile, Sanju Samson was promoted to number three in the second game at the MCG and he was dismissed after managing only two runs.
“Jitesh Sharma has played and Sanju Samson hasn’t played. So, what does it mean? I would say do not read anything between the lines for a simple reason, that we are unable to understand. Why are we searching for logic? When Shubman Gill started opening, it was assumed Jitesh Sharma would only play down the order,” Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
“The entire Asia Cup passed and he didn’t play. First Sanju played down the order and then up the order. Sanju played in the final as well and scored a few important runs. Now you sent him at No. 3 in one innings and then dropped him after that. I know Sanju’s fans will be rightly angry, but I don’t see any finality in this, that he won’t be there and Jitesh Sharma will only play because this was a slightly randomized selection,” he added.
On the other hand, Shubman Gill was dismissed cheaply after scoring only 15 runs off 12 balls in the third game. Gill could only manage five runs in the second game of the series.
“Shubman Gill needs to be spoken about because he is unable to score runs. He played well in Canberra in the first match. In Melbourne, the ball hit him on his head and he played a slightly loose shot as well, and here he got out to an absolutely full ball,” he said.
The renowned commentator said players like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sanju Samson are waiting in the wings for opening opportunities.
“There is a question mark. You are coming under pressure. It is not a good thing. I won’t say even for once that Shubman Gill is out of form because he has been in incredible form in 2025, but he is short of runs at the moment. ODI series, Asia Cup, and this now, and with Sanju Samson and Yashasvi Jaiswal breathing down his neck, Shubman Gill needs to score runs in the two remaining games,” Chopra observed.
The fourth T20I between India and Australia will be played on Thursday at the Bill Pippen Oval, Gold Coast.
