Aakash Chopra, the former opener of India, has asked why the Indian team did not include Sanju Samson but Jitesh Sharma, on the third T20I match of the Indian team against Australia on the Bellerive Oval in Hobart on Sunday, November 2.
Chopra stated that Jitesh was expected to participate in the Asia Cup in September, when Shubman Gill was chosen to start instead of Samson. However, contrary to Indian supporters’ hopes, the Kerala cricketer was selected above Jitesh in the playing XI for all continental competition games.
“Jitesh Sharma has played, and Sanju Samson hasn’t played. So, what does it mean? I would say do not read anything between the lines for a simple reason, that we are unable to understand. Why are we searching for logic? When Shubman Gill started opening, it was assumed Jitesh Sharma would only play down the order.”
Aakash Chopra
“The entire Asia Cup passed and he didn’t play. First Sanju played down the order and then up the order. Sanju played in the final as well and scored a few important runs. Now you sent him at No. 3 in one innings and then dropped him after that. I know Sanju’s fans will be rightly angry, but I don’t see any finality in this, that he won’t be there and Jitesh Sharma will only play because this was a slightly randomized selection.”
Aakash Chopra
After Shubman Gill returned to the team, Samson had to abandon his position as opener. He batted in both the top and middle orders but struggled to make an impact. Jitesh, on the other hand, hit an unbeaten 22 off 13 balls to help India reach a 187-run target in 18.3 overs.
Shubman Gill needs to be spoken about: Aakash Chopra
Aakash Chopra also highlighted the problems of Shubman Gill in the T20I series. Having scored an unbeaten 37 in the first T20I, the Indian Test skipper was thrown out in the next two matches with a score of 5 and 15.
“Shubman Gill needs to be spoken about because he is unable to score runs. He played well in Canberra in the first match. In Melbourne, the ball hit him on his head and he played a slightly loose shot as well, and here he got out to an absolutely full ball.”
Aakash Chopra
While Chopra stated that Shubman played some excellent cricket in 2025, he needs to make runs now because players like Samson and Yashasvi Jaiswal are waiting for opportunities at the top of the order.
“There is a question mark. You are coming under pressure. It is not a good thing. I won’t say even for once that Shubman Gill is out of form because he has been in incredible form in 2025, but he is short of runs at the moment. ODI series, Asia Cup, and this now, and with Sanju Samson and Yashasvi Jaiswal breathing down his neck, Shubman Gill needs to score runs in the two remaining games.”
Aakash Chopra
