India’s batting coach, Sitanshu Kotak, has opened up about Sanju Samson’s role in the team, saying the wicketkeeper-batter is ready to play wherever the team needs him.
In India’s first game of the Asia Cup 2025, Samson was picked ahead of Jitesh Sharma and was slated to bat at number 5.
“Sanju hasn’t batted at number 5 or 6, but that doesn’t mean he can’t,” Kotak said at the press conference held at the ICC Academy. “I think he’s good enough to bat at any position, so depending on the team’s requirements, the captain and head coach will decide, and he’s more than happy to bat wherever needed.”
Samson, who has been batting in the top order since the last Sri Lanka tour, has now been moved to number 5, with Abhishek Sharma and vice-captain Shubman Gill forming a new opening pair.
Despite the changes, Samson has strong numbers that show he can adapt anywhere. In IPL 2025, Samson, as an opener, scored 285 runs in nine matches at an average of 35.62 and a strike rate of 140.39. In T20Is, he has scored 861 runs in 43 matches, at an average of 25.32 and a strike rate of 152.38.
India will next play against arch-rivals Pakistan on Sunday, 14 September, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
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