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Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has expressed concern over the frequent changes to Sanju Samson’s batting position. His remarks came after the second T20I against Australia, played on Friday, October 31, at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
Put in to bat, the visitors were bowled out for 125 in 18.4 overs, with Sanju dismissed for just two runs off four balls while batting at No. 3. In reply, the hosts chased down the total comfortably, winning by four wickets with 40 balls to spare.
Following the match, in a video on his YouTube channel, Pathan pointed out that the team management needs to pay closer attention to Sanju’s batting role, as he has been shuffled between No. 3 and No. 5 since being moved from his opening position ahead of the 2025 Asia Cup. Pathan noted that such constant changes can negatively impact a player’s performance and confidence. Speaking on the matter, Pathan said:
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“As for Sanju Samson, if he keeps moving up and down the batting order like this, I’m not sure how effective that will be. I know that in T20 cricket, apart from the openers, no one really has a fixed position and flexibility is important. But in the name of flexibility, you shouldn’t become so elastic that you lose the stability that comes with having defined roles. That’s something the Indian team really needs to pay attention to.”
“When you keep changing a player’s role repeatedly, things naturally change. Playing against the older ball in the middle overs, which Sanju Samson did during the Asia Cup, is very different from opening the innings, where he had scored three centuries. It requires a different mindset and a lot of mental strength, along with strong backing from the team,” he added.
Sanju Samson has represented India in 51 T20Is, scoring 995 runs at an average of 25.51 and a strike rate of 147.40, including three half-centuries and three centuries.
“That support can fade quickly” - Irfan Pathan’s huge comment on Sanju Samson's place in the XI
In the same video, Irfan Pathan acknowledged that Sanju Samson has been getting support in his new role but warned that it could fade away if he endures three or four consecutive failures. Pathan remarked:
“It does seem that Sanju Samson is getting that support right now, because even though Shubman Gill has returned as an opener, Samson has still been included in the team and is being trusted to bat in the middle order. There’s no doubt he’s getting the support he needs. But that support can fade quickly if a player has three or four failures in a row. Hopefully, that won’t happen with Sanju Samson.”
Meanwhile, Suryakumar Yadav and his team will return to action for the third T20I on Sunday, November 2, in Hobart.
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