If you’ve been following Team India’s squad announcements for the 2025 Asia Cup, you’ve probably noticed the “Sanju Samson debate” heating up. The Kerala wicketkeeper-batter has been in sensational form as an opener recently, but with Shubman Gill back in the mix, Samson’s role at the top is under the microscope. So, here’s a thought: why not use Samson as India’s finisher? Let’s break down three solid reasons why this could be the smartest move in the UAE.
A Spin-Busting Specialist When It Matters Most
The Asia Cup is coming up in the UAE, which basically screams “spin-friendly conditions.” Teams will be loading up on tweakers, and India will need someone who can punish them in the middle and death overs. Enter Sanju Samson. This guy is practically a nightmare for spinners. Samson’s numbers against spin in the last three IPL seasons are eye-popping—48.90 average with a 150 strike rate.
By batting him at No.5 or No.6, it gives India another slugger who can change a game in the dying overs with superiority. Rather than going for the conventional batter, who is your usual starter or part-timer, and hope they can play a part in achieving their goals, the catch is when you lose wickets, and pressure shifts back to the opposition, because Samson can not only hit you a few sixes, but maybe take it away from the opposition.
Flexibility Means India Can Play Their Best Bowlers
What makes Samson such an attractive option as a finisher for India is that he allows them to play four of their finest bowlers on the field with no compromise. Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, and Kuldeep Yadav are all superb, yet there is little to rely on for No.7 or No.8. This is often the dilemma for India if they want to preserve their bowling lineup.
Moving Samson down to the lower-middle order was a genius tactical move that gives India a batter who is able to bat in any position. Unlike Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube, or Jitesh Sharma, Samson can bat long, shift gears, and adapt to a given situation. In other words, he’s not merely a finisher; he’s a safety blanket.
Experience and Death-Over Prowess
One-and-done tournaments like the Asia Cup make experience a serious asset. Forty-two T20Is later, Samson’s seasoned presence clearly outweighs Jitesh Sharma’s nine outings for India. That experience matters when you’re stepping up in high-pressure moments. Plus, Samson has been killing it in the final five overs. In crunch time since 2023, Samson has delivered fireworks, smashing 203 runs from 110 deliveries while maintaining a lethal strike rate above 184. Coupled with his Kerala Cricket League numbers—averaging 73.60 and a strike rate of 186.80—it’s evident Samson is primed to take control in the most critical overs.
Samson isn’t just swinging for boundaries; he’s smart, calculating, and can find gaps while taking calculated risks. That kind of maturity in finishing is exactly what India needs when chasing tricky totals in high-stakes matches.
FAQs
- Has Samson opened for India recently?
Yes, he opened India’s last three bilateral T20I series with great success.
- What advantage does Samson provide for India’s bowling attack?
His presence allows India to field all four of their best bowlers without compromising batting depth.
- How experienced is Samson in T20Is?
He has played 42 T20Is, making him far more experienced than other backup options like Jitesh Sharma.
