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A former Indian cricket great has thrown down the gauntlet: the upcoming T20I series against South Africa national cricket team could be the perfect opportunity to promote Sanju Samson to No. 3 in the batting order. The belief is that Samson’s aggressive style and past experience make him a strong contender for a top-order role that gives India stability and firepower.
With the series opener just around the corner, this suggestion has reignited debates around India’s batting lineup. Samson — a wicket-keeper batter with a proven track record — is being viewed as a candidate capable of anchoring the innings early and setting the tone, rather than languishing in the lower middle order.
Why this move could be game-changing
- Balance of aggression and responsibility: Samson has often batted in attacking mode. Placing him at No. 3 could combine the power-hitting often needed at the top with the maturity to build an innings — a middle ground between opening firepower and middle-order stability.
- Flexibility under pressure: With senior players potentially juggling form and fitness, having a reliable batter like Samson in a top-order slot offers India strategic flexibility. It could ease pressure on the openers while giving time for the middle order to settle.
- Room for experiment before the T20 World Cup: This series against South Africa offers a timely chance to test combinations and roles ahead of bigger tournaments. Trying Samson at No. 3 may reveal if he can be a long-term asset in that role.
The flip side — what selectors will consider
Despite the support, there are competing voices. With regular opener Shubman Gill fit and available, team management is likely to stick with tried-and-tested combinations at the top.
Moreover, pushing Samson up might disrupt the batting balance — it could affect the roles and mindsets of other middle-order batters, and change how India handles powerplay and death-overs pacing.
Where things stand now
As of now, the plan for the first T20I seems to lean toward the usual top order: Gill is expected to open, which leaves the No. 3 slot uncertain. Samson — along with another contender, Jitesh Sharma — is likely battling it out for a middle-order spot.
Still, the former legend’s statement has put pressure on selectors and sparked fresh debate among fans and pundits. It remains to be seen whether the call will translate into action — or if tradition will hold sway.
