Is Sanju Samson a Hero, a Villain, or the Joker in Indias Cricket Story?

Sanju Samson has been a part of the Indian cricket team for more than a decade. Still, he fails to receive consistent opportunities and even sees his batting order change with games. In the recent match against Bangladesh, Samson was set down to bat at number 8.

Upon taking a look at the title, you might think that we are calling Sanju Samson a Joker or that the fans are calling him a villain. But what if we told you that none of this is true, as Sanju Samson himself called him to be a hero, villain, or even a joker in the Indian cricket team?

Sanju Samson, who is designated opener for the Indian cricket team, didn't bat in India's match against Bangladesh in the Super Fours. Despite being a top-order batsman, players like Axar Patel, Hardik Pandya, and Shivam Dube were sent above him. Although India won the match with ease, .

In the post-match conference, he gave reference to Mohanlal, a renowned Kerala actor, who has been working in the industry for several decades. Comparing his situation with the actor, Samson said that sometimes he has to be a hero, a villain, and even end up being a joker in a few cases. Let's analyse how Samson has been performing in the Indian team.

1. Opening Denied for Samson

Sanju Samson made his comeback to the Indian team in 2024, and since then, he has received consistent opportunities to play for the team. Although his batting roles changed way too often, Samson was seen to be suited as an opener for the Indian team in the shortest format of the game.

Sanju Samson, while batting at the 1st position:

• Innings: 14
• Not Out: 1
• Runs: 512
• Average: 39.38
• Strike Rate: 182.80
• Centuries: 3
• Half-centuries: 1

Despite having such good stats while opening for the team, Sanju Samson has not been considered to open in the Asia Cup 2025. Replacing him, Shubman Gill has now joined Abhishek Sharma, but he has also not been very impressive to the team while opening.

Shubman Gill in the Asia Cup 2025:

• Innings: 5
• Not Out: 1
• Runs: 111
• Average: 27.25
• Strike Rate: 156.33
• High Score: 47

With these average stats, Gill has not been able to make many contributions to the team, but he has been favoured by the selectors, being the team's Vice Captain.

2. Uncertainty Over Samson’s Role

If not opening for the team, Sanju Samson is expected to bat at the top order, since he is also the designated wicket-keeper for the team. Samson is able to contribute to the team in the middle overs and make the team stand at a good total, before the death overs begin.

Sanju Samson at number three in T20Is:

• Innings: 4
• Not Out: 0
• Runs: 89
• Average: 22.25
• Strike Rate: 125.35
• High Score: 56

Sanju Samson at number four in T20Is:

• Innings: 11
• Not Out: 1
• Runs: 213
• Average: 21.30
• Strike Rate: 129.87
• High Score: 58

Despite not having as good numbers as he has while opening, Sanju Samson is still able to contribute to the team even if he comes to bat in the middle order. But in the Asia Cup, he has batted just twice for the Indian team in five matches, and despite the team losing wickets against Bangladesh, Samson was not sent to bat till number 7.

Is Samson Paying Price for Gill’s Backing?

Shubman Gill, who was recently announced as India's captain in the Test format, is now being pushed in the other formats too. With Suryakumar Yadav nearing his retirement, the Indian team is looking forward to a future captain, which they see in Shubman Gill. As he made his comeback to the T20I format, he returned as the Vice Captain.

But, with Gill returning to the team, he has taken the spot of Sanju Samson, as he now opens with Abhishek Sharma. As the Indian coach reportedly backs Shubman Gill, it seems that Sanju Samson is paying the price for the same.