Jitesh Sharma has replaced Sanju Samson in the Indian T20I playing XI during India’s tour of Australia, and former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan noted that India should stick with Jitesh instead of Samson as the former has more experience in the lower-middle order compared to the latter.
“It’s a fair call because you will face difficulty going forward if you are thinking about batting Sanju Samson down the order. Sanju Samson has batted up the order, in the top three, in his entire career. It’s a very difficult job if you go down from there. He played a very good knock in the Asia Cup while batting in the middle overs,” the cricketer-turned-commentator said on Star Sports.
“However, if you have to choose one between the two as to who will be more competent and proceed with one plan, you are proceeding with Jitesh Sharma currently, and you will have to move forward with him only. If you keep chopping and changing, you will have difficulties going forward,” he added.
Samson was pushed down the order after Shubman Gill returned at the top of the order in the T20I set up. However, Samson’s returns in the middle order have been minimal, and Jitesh, who is a specialist finisher, has looked at home in the role. On Tuesday, after India’s win against South Africa, when asked about the dynamic between him and Samson, Jitesh responded by saying Samson was like an “elder brother” to him.
“I am very grateful that he is in the team and I am under him. He is like an elder brother to me,” Jitesh said. “Because of healthy competition, your talent comes out. It’s good for the team. Sanju bhai is out, and I am playing. He is a great player—one of the great players. If I have to compete with him and play shoulder to shoulder, I have to bring my A-game,” he said.