Sanju Samson's Comeback In India Playing XI Vs England Backed In One Condition

Sanju Samson after his dismissal in IND vs ENG 1st T20I | PC-AFP

Team India has not had a good start under the new captain-vice-captain duo of Shreyas Iyer and Tilak Varma. Since winning the 2026 T20 World Cup, the Men in Blue are yet to register a victory in the format. Meanwhile, India's hero from the T20 World Cup campaign, Sanju Samson, has also been warming the bench.

After losing the two-match series in Ireland, they have lost two out of three matches in England as well.

In their previous outing, the Shreyas Iyer-led team faced various unwanted records, as they were toppled for 76 runs to lose by 143 runs at Trent Bridge. 

Abhishek Nayar makes massive remark on Sanju Samson's place

Ahead of the must-win IND vs ENG 4th T20I at Bristol, pundits and experts are demanding that Sanju Samson return to the starting XI. With too many left-handers already in, the stylish right-handed batter becomes a necessity. 

Moreover, the form of players like Ishan Kishan and Tilak Varma has been rather questionable, which could make space for Samson in the middle order. 

However, India’s former assistant coach, Abhishek Nayar, has a different theory. Gautam Gambhir’s ex-ally wants the CSK batter only back if the team management can accommodate him in the top three. 

"I really feel that if you have to get Sanju Samson back in, you want to position him in a place where he can succeed. Now, just because you want to bring him in, you're going to bat him at No. 4, 5 or 6. It's not something he's done a lot. It's not something he's been successful at," Abhishek Nayar said.

"He's been best suited when he's opened or batted in the top three. So if you aren't giving him that position, then I feel it's better that you don't play Sanju Samson and instead stick with the kind of batting line-up India has."

Where should Sanju Samson bat? 

Statistically, Sanju Samson has been a phenomenal player when opening the batting in T20Is. In 33 innings, he has played as an opener, and the stylish keeper-batter has scored 932 runs at an average of 32.14 and at a strike rate of 178.98. 

However, whenever he has batted out of the opening position, his numbers have only dropped. 

Notably, the Kerala star had ordinary returns when he was used in the middle order during the 2025 Asia Cup and some part of the 2026 T20 World Cup. 

But, as soon as he returned as an opener, Samson led India to victory, playing three successive knocks in the final three matches of the tournament. 

(Sanju Samson's stats in top three)

(Sanju Samson's stats outside top three)

Thus, it would be ideal for Samson to either play in Vaibhav Sooryavanshi or Ishan Kishan's place, as Abhishek Sharma has been India's best batter after the first three T20Is vs England.

Sanju Samson's struggle on UK tour

Speaking as a devil's advocate, Sanju Samson was pretty ordinary in the three matches he played on this UK tour. He was dismissed in single digits in all three outings, as his technique was questionable against the moving ball.

Nevertheless, India will play England in the must-win clash at Bristol on Thursday (July 9). The conditions at the venue are traditionally batting-friendly, which would be a sigh of relief for the visitors after getting tossed for 76 runs in the last match. 

Read More: IND Vs ENG Head To Head Records- 4th T20I, India Tour Of England 2026