AUS vs IND 2025: 'Why are we searching for logic?' - Former India opener's stunning remark after Sanju Samson's snub in 3rd T20I

Published - 03 Nov 2025, 16:47 IST | Updated - 03 Nov 2025, 17:26 IST

Former India opener Aakash Chopra has questioned why the Indian team dropped Sanju Samson and picked Jitesh Sharma as the wicketkeeper-batter in the playing XI in the third T20I against Australia at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart on Sunday, November 2.

Chopra noted that Jitesh was expected to play in the Asia Cup in September after Shubman Gill was picked to open instead of Samson. However, contrary to expectations of Indian fans, the Kerala cricketer was picked over Jitesh in the playing XI for all the games in the continental competition.

"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," Chopra said.

"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," he added.

Samson had to relinquish the opener's slot after Shubman returned to the side. He played in the top order as well as the middle order, but couldn't make a mark. Jitesh, on the other hand, scored an unbeaten 22 off 13 balls, helping India chase down a 187-run target in 18.3 overs.

Chopra also highlighted Shubman Gill's struggles in the T20I series. After scoring an unbeaten 37 in the first T20I, the Indian Test captain got out for 5 and 15 in the next two games.

"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," he said.

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While Chopra said that Shubman has played some fantastic cricket in 2025, he needs to score runs at the moment because the likes of 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," Chopra observed.