Ahmedabad, India – The fifth and final T20 International between India and South Africa was more than a series decider. It became the stage for a definitive statement on a simmering selection dilemma, followed by a fiery public interrogation from one of Indian cricket’s most authoritative voices.
Stepping in for the injured vice-captain Shubman Gill at the top of the order, Sanju Samson delivered a blistering, match-defining powerplay performance. His 22-ball 37, filled with audacious strokeplay, not only propelled India to a strong start but also prompted former head coach Ravi Shastri to pose a pointed, explosive question on live television: “Why is he not in the side in the first place?”
The comment, delivered with Shastri’s trademark candor, has ripped open the debate about India’s T20 opening combination just months before they begin their title defense at the 2026 T20 World Cup on home soil.
A Powerplay Masterclass Seizes the Moment
With the series poised at 2-1, India needed a strong start. Samson, often a sporadic participant in the national setup, partnered with the aggressive Abhishek Sharma. He announced his intent with sublime wrist work, including a languid flick off Marco Jansen that sailed effortlessly into the mid-wicket stands.
His innings was a masterclass in intent. He raced to 37, reaching significant personal milestones along the way—crossing 8,000 runs in T20 cricket and 1,000 runs in T20 Internationals. In a telling statistical twist, his score in this single knock exceeded Shubman Gill’s combined total of 33 runs from the first three matches of the series.
Shastri’s On-Air Critique: A Commentary Box Bombshell
It was this visible, palpable impact that triggered Ravi Shastri’s unequivocal endorsement. From the commentary box, Shastri dissected the selection puzzle for all to hear.
“When you see him play like this, you can’t help but wonder why it took an injury to bring him in,” Shastri said. “He is a natural at the top of the order… He is explosive, dangerous, and capable of shots like these. Where do you even bowl to him?”
The remarks went beyond praise for Samson; they were a direct challenge to the selection rationale that had kept the Kerala wicketkeeper-batter on the fringes. Shastri highlighted Samson’s proven pedigree, noting his two back-to-back T20 centuries against South Africa, questioning why such a “natural” asset wasn’t being utilized fully.
The Unavoidable Gill Comparison: Form vs. Faith
The context made Shastri’s question even more potent. Shubman Gill, anointed as a future leader and vice-captain, has endured a prolonged lean patch in the T20 format. His struggle for fluency at the top has contrasted sharply with the team’s need for explosive starts in the powerplay.
The Core of the Debate:
- The Case for Samson: Advocates point to his superior strike rate, fearless approach from ball one, and proven performance as an opener in domestic cricket. His innings in Ahmedabad is cited as “exhibit A” of the impact he can provide.
- The Case for Gill: Supporters argue for his higher ceiling, classical technique, and the investment the team has made in him as a long-term pillar across formats. The belief is that a player of his class will inevitably return to form.
Shastri’s commentary has effectively asked whether the selection should be based on current, impactful form or the promise of what a player might deliver. With the T20 World Cup approaching, it’s a question the Indian think tank can no longer defer.
Implications for the 2026 T20 World Cup Blueprint
This isn’t merely about one match. The decision carries significant weight for India’s World Cup strategy. The team has struggled to find a consistent, aggressive opening pair since the departure of Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul from the T20 setup.
Samson’s successful audition offers a clear, left-field solution. A top order featuring him and the equally aggressive Abhishek Sharma could give India the explosive powerplay foundation they have sometimes lacked. It presents a starkly different profile to an opening pair built around Gill’s anchor-like approach.
The selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, now faces a clarified yet difficult choice. Do they revert to Gill, hoping his class surfaces in time for the World Cup, or do they embrace the in-form, high-risk-high-reward profile of Samson, as forcefully advocated by a former coach who knows what it takes to win global tournaments?
The Verdict from the Middle
While pundits and fans debate, Sanju Samson let his bat do the talking in Ahmedabad. In a high-pressure series decider, he provided exactly the impetus his team needed. Ravi Shastri, never one to shy away from speaking his mind, simply amplified the performance into a national conversation.
As India prepares for its World Cup defense, the question echoing from the commentary box in Ahmedabad will resonate in every selection meeting to come: “Why is he not in the side?” How the team management answers it could define their campaign.
