"Has Sanju Samson's time come?" - Former opener on India's opening conundrum after IND vs SA 2025 5th T20I

Former India opener Aakash Chopra has opined that Sanju Samson's explosive knock in the fifth T20I against South Africa has left the Men in Blue with an opening conundrum. He wondered whether the Indian team management would want to bat Shubman Gill at the top of the order with Abhishek Sharma or if Samson would be persisted with.

Samson scored 37 runs off 22 deliveries as India set South Africa a 232-run target in Ahmedabad on Friday, December 19. The hosts then restricted the Proteas to 201/8, winning the game by 30 runs to clinch the five-match series 3-1.

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, 'Aakash Chopra,' the former India batter opined that the think tank might be in a dilemma in choosing between Gill and Samson as Abhishek's opening partner.

"The big question will be whether Gill with Abhishek, yin and yang, passion on one side and calm on the other, one slightly cautious, Virat Kohli-type of player and a Rohit Sharma-like Abhishek Sharma on the other side, is that what India want, or else has Sanju Samson's time come?" he said.

While observing that Samson would certainly be a part of India's 2026 T20 World Cup squad, Chopra opined that the Kerala wicketkeeper-batter's position in the XI would depend on whether Gill is appointed the vice-captain or not.

"Of course, the team selection is today. Sanju will be there for sure, but will he be with Abhishek, or will it be Shubman Gill? That's a big, big question that's looming large right now because if you appoint Gill as the vice-captain, you will have to play him, but will he be appointed the vice-captain? That's a big question that everybody is asking," he elaborated.

Aakash Chopra noted that Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma have a camaraderie, with the duo complementing each other. However, he acknowledged that it's not like one bats aggressively and the other provides stability, with both batting explosively.

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"He didn't get a chance to open again after that" - Aakash Chopra on Sanju Samson returning to the top of the order in IND vs SA 2025 5th T20I

Sanju Samson struck four fours and two sixes during his 37-run knock. [P/C: Getty]

In the same video, Aakash Chopra noted that Sanju Samson hasn't gotten opportunities to play as an opener lately.

"Sanju last opened in the five-match series against England, where he had slight difficulties against the short ball. After that, he was in the team, but was batting down the order, the entire Asia Cup. He didn't get a chance to open again after that," he said.

The cricketer-turned-commentator praised the 31-year-old for playing some exceptional shots once he got a chance at the top of the order in the fifth T20I against South Africa.

"However, when he got a chance, of course, fortune knocked at his door once again, the way he first hit a six against Marco Jansen, I said, 'wow', and then he hit two straight fours. He batted extremely well. I thought he would be able to make a bigger score, but he was absolutely brilliant," Chopra observed.

Aakash Chopra pointed out that Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson started from where they had left off. The duo stitched together a 63-run opening partnership in just 5.4 overs, with Abhishek contributing a 21-ball 34.

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Edited by Kartik Iyer