India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak believes Sanju Samson is good enough to bat at any position in T20Is. Shubman Gill opened the innings with Abhishek Sharma against the UAE in the opening game of Asia Cup at Dubai on Wednesday.

Furthermore, Suryakumar Yadav batted at one drop and thus Samson is expected to bat in the middle order in the continental tournament.

Samson has better numbers while batting in the top order but Kotak said the wicket-keeper can also deliver in the middle order.

Sitanshu Kotak said in the press conference, “Sanju (Samson) hasn’t batted much at number five or six. But that doesn’t mean he can’t do it. I think Sanju is a good enough player to bat at any position. So, depending on the team’s requirements, the captain and head coach will decide, and he is more than happy to bat at any number.”

“If you look at our batting lineup, everyone is capable of finishing the match from any position. However, we do have four or five aggressive players, and depending on the situation, the head coach and captain decide where to send them. More or less, everyone is prepared to bat at any number. For example, Sanju may have batted at number five in the last match, but in the next match, he could be sent at any position. So, nothing is fixed. Everyone knows their role, and they will be ready according to the situation,” he added.

Samson has scored 861 runs in 43 T20Is at an average of 25.32 and a strike rate of 152.38.

The Kerala batter has scored three T20I centuries in the last 13 matches but he could only manage 51 runs in five games against England in 2025 as he was troubled by short-pitched deliveries.

Samson was in fine form in the Kerala Cricket League as he has scored 368 runs in five innings at an average of 73.60 and a strike rate of 186.80 while leading Kochi Blue Tigers.

India will next take on Pakistan on Wednesday.