Former Indian skipper Sunil Gavaskar believes out-of-form Sanju Samson won’t be part of India’s playing XI in the T20 World Cup opener against the USA, unless Tilak Varma is not fit. With Ishan Kishan grabbing his chance with both hands, Gavaskar believes the former, Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma could be India’s top three.

Samson managed only 46 runs in five matches of the series at an average of 9.20 against the Kiwis, which is concerning ahead of the T20 World Cup. Samson didn’t look at his best technically in the T20I series against the Blackcaps as he was playing with a predetermined mindset.

On the other hand, Kishan 215 runs in four matches at an average of 53.75 and a blistering strike rate of 231.18.

Sunil Gavaskar said on Star Sports, “I think the selection committee was quite forthright, giving Sanju Samson all the opportunities. But now, with Ishan Kishan’s innings here and Tilak Varma likely to return, the batting order looks definite. Unless Tilak Varma is not fit, I don’t see him (Samson) being part of the XI on February 7.”

“It is really difficult to drop him (Kishan). And dropping him for whom? Tilak Varma is a proven performer at this level. Sanju Samson is also a proven performer, but he is not in form. It has got nothing to do with his ability. In a tournament like the World Cup, you can’t take chances. This is the reason I think that after giving him five matches – I think his highest score is 24 – and he has got out in odd manners, he is definitely short on confidence.”

Meanwhile, Tilak Varma has performed consistently for Team India and he would look to hit the ground running in the T20 World Cup.

India will begin their T20 World Cup campaign against the USA on February 7