Wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson was dropped from Team India’s playing XI for the third T20I of the five-match series against Australia, led by Mitchell Marsh. Jitesh Sharma replaced Samson, who played only one innings in the series, for the must-win game at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart on Sunday, November 2.
Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav won the toss and opted to bowl first. The visitors made three changes to their playing XI. Jitesh Sharma, Washington Sundar, and Arshdeep Singh replaced Sanju Samson, Kuldeep Yada,v and Harshit Rana. Meanwhile, Josh Hazlewood was rested and Sean Abbott was recalled.
Sanju Samson Dismissed for Just 2 Runs in Second T20I at MCG
Sanju Samson was promoted to No. 3 after Shubman Gill’s early dismissal. However, he struggled in the tough batting conditions and fell LBW for just two runs. India’s shuffled batting order backfired, as they scored only 125 runs. Australia chased it down with more than six overs to spare.
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Samson’s form has dipped since he was moved away from the opening spot. He had thrived as an opener until the Asia Cup 2025. With Gill’s return at the top, the Kerala batter has been shifted to the middle order, where he has averaged below 27 with only one fifty in five innings.
Overall, Samson has featured in 51 T20Is for India, scoring 995 runs at a strike rate of 147.40, with three half-centuries and three centuries to his name.
Jitesh Sharma Comes In for Sanju Samson – Suryakumar Yadav
At the toss, Suryakumar Yadav announced three changes to India’s lineup but did not clarify whether Sanju Samson was injured or simply dropped.
“We actually got 3 changes. Jitesh Sharma comes in for Sanju Samson. Harshit Rana makes way for Arshdeep Singh. Washington Sundar is in for Kuldeep Yadav,” Surya stated.
The series began with a washed-out in Canberra. Australia secured a four-wicket win in Melbourne to take a 1-0 lead in the series. With the hosts ahead, India will look to bounce back in Hobart and register their first victory of the tour.
Fans Slam Gautam Gambhir for Sanju Samson Snub From Playing XI for 3rd T20I
Fans on X (formerly Twitter) roasted head coach Gautam Gambhir for the playing XI selection. Many mocked him for shuffling Sanju Samson in the batting order before eventually dropping him from the XI.
To include Shubman Gill in the team
Dropped player like Jaiswal from the team
Dropped Sanju Samson after scoring 3 centuries in T20I.
Shame on you Gautam Gambhir and Surya Kumar. pic.twitter.com/4XikgwOGzN
— Dhruv Thakur (@Dhruv_Thakur___) November 2, 2025
Can’t Understand Why Sanju Samson get Dropped. He Sacrifices his Place where he Smashed 3 Century in no time nd now when Team management does experiment with him nd he doesn’t Score that means no Backing For Sanju. BCCI Ashamed OF your self Gill . pic.twitter.com/B80EuqSYXl
— AYUSH RANJAN (@AyushRaGenius17) November 2, 2025
Sanju Samson dropped from Playing 11 after only one failure.
Shubman Gill is still opening for Team India.
Shame on you Surya Kumar Yadav and Gautam Gambhir.
— Dhruv Thakur (@Dhruv_Thakur___) November 2, 2025
Instead of dropping Sanju Samson for Jitesh Sharma, India should have dropped out of form Shubham Gill and brought back Sanju as opener where he thrives.
Completely unfair to #SanjuSamson#AUSvIND— Varooooon (@NambiarTweets) November 2, 2025
Sanju Samson promoted at three in the last game, failed, and dropped in the next game??#AUSvIND
— Peeyush Sharma (@peeyushsharmaa) November 2, 2025
Why we not raising our voices against injustice against Sanju Samson.
Because of Gautam Gambhir and Shubman Gill our best wicket keeper opener Sanju Samson has been dropped.
Feel for Sanju pic.twitter.com/tcF9m4CamL
— Abhishek Kumar (@Abhishek060722) November 2, 2025
Shubman Gill you will never see Heaven.
Now, Because of you Sanju Samson has been dropped from the playing Xl.
SHAME ON YOU pic.twitter.com/hrAxLym4Ry
— Abhishek Kumar (@Abhishek060722) November 2, 2025
Sanju Samson should declare retirement now.
Surya said that even if he scores unlimited 0s he will stay there.
Gill’s inclusion in the t20i side has ruined the squad that was doing good https://t.co/AEUDfWb7VO— Sudhanshu (@sud2rock) November 2, 2025
Story of S samson in recent times
– S Samson performed well as an opener, yet he was demoted just to fit the so-called prince
– After that, the batting position kept changing, which ruined Sanju’s form
– Honestly speaking, I sensed this outcome the very day Sanju was Demoted. pic.twitter.com/qdonfj6GdE
— 𝐇𝐢𝐭𝐦𝐚𝐧|𝐑𝐨𝐡𝐢𝐭×𝟒𝟓 (@unlimitedcrick0) November 2, 2025
Sanju Samson would’ve been a world beater if he learnt the art of playing selfish cricket.
He would’ve been a permanent member in all 3 formats had he done so.— Troll cricket unlimitedd (@TUnlimitedd) November 2, 2025
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