IND vs PAK: Team India banks on tried-and-tested plan, Sanju Samson likely to slot in at No.5 or 6

Sept 13, 2025: Before the high-voltage match between India and Pakistan in the Asia Cup on Sunday, the Indian team management will stick to its 'old formula' and there are very less chances of any change in the playing eleven. However, in this match too, Sanju Samson's batting order will be a topic of discussion on Sunday.

Before the first match of the tournament, it did not seem that Samson was in the team management's plans, but when he was given rest from optional practice a day before the team's match against UAE, it became clear that this dashing batsman from Kerala will play in place of Jitesh Sharma. Against UAE, the Indian team fielded both Shubman Gill and Samson.

Gill will Open

Shubman Gill opened the innings with Abhishek Sharma, while Sanju Samson did not come to bat. In the match against UAE, captain Suryakumar Yadav came in after Abhishek’s wicket fell. But that match was not a clear sign of the real plan. Against stronger teams, it will be important to see where Samson fits.

Former captain Sunil Gavaskar recently said that Samson should not bat below number three. If he does, then Tilak Varma should come in at number five. In T20 cricket, stats matter the most. According to them, Samson has been effective only as an opener.

Problem Down the Order

Samson has had some success at number three. But the issue is that Tilak Varma has also not done well below number three. Another factor is the captain himself. Suryakumar Yadav has been a consistent match-winner for India while batting at number three in recent years.

So, in the Pakistan match, Samson is unlikely to bat in the top three. He may be pushed to number five or six.

Samson has played 38 innings for India. Out of these, he opened 14 times and scored 512 of his 861 runs at that spot. He has three fifties and one hundred while opening. He has batted from positions two to seven, but at number four, he scored only 164 runs in 11 innings with one fifty. His strike rate there is 129.9.

This shows that most of his runs came either as an opener or at number four. At other positions, his contribution is small and his strike rate is low. He also struggles against spin in the middle overs, even though he has faced less spin in international cricket.

Tilak Varma’s record shows he has played most of his 24 innings at number three and four. He scored 443 runs in 13 innings at number three, including two centuries against South Africa. At number four, he has 256 runs in eight innings. In the current setup, Surya and Tilak have rotated between number three and four with success.

Sanju can bat anywhere

Batting coach Sitashru Kotak said on Friday that Samson has not batted much at number five or six. But that does not mean he cannot do it. He has the ability to bat at any number. The captain and coach will decide his batting order as per the team’s needs.

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