IND vs SA 2025: Why do India prefer Jitesh Sharma over Sanju Samson in T20Is? Sanjay Bangar explains logic

Published - 09 Dec 2025, 15:01 IST | Updated - 09 Dec 2025, 15:39 IST

Former India cricketer Sanjay Bangar has shared why he feels that Jitesh Sharma will be a better option than Sanju Samson as wicketkeeper-batter in India's Playing XI for the five-match series against South Africa. The five-match series between India and South Africa is scheduled to kickstart on December 9.

Bangar himself agreed that Samson's best position in the batting order was up top. However, he felt that the Kerala cricketer will not find a spot at the top and even in the middle with the likes of Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube or Hardik Pandya sitting comfortably in their spots in the middle order.

"The Indian team management did give chances to Sanju Samson. He opened the innings and performed really well when Shubman Gill was absent, scoring hundreds against Bangladesh and South Africa. He also had a run of low scores. But his best spot in T20 cricket is still at the top. With players like Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, or Hardik Pandya available, there may not be a place for him at number four, five, or six," shared Bangar while speaking on JioStar.

Bangar, who has also been India and RCB batting coach in the past, opined that the Amravati-born has more experience of finishing innings with the older ball as compared to Samson, a key reason behind the RCB cricketer having an edge over the CSK recruit.

"That's why, if you need someone who can hit sixes with the older ball, you have Jitesh Sharma. He has done it in the past and does it regularly in the IPL. It is good to back a player who has done it for longer. Once your number four, five, and six are sorted, give the number seven spot to a guy who has done that job more often," he added.

India will take on the Proteas in the first T20I at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack. They will be entering the series following a 2-1 win in the 50-over leg. The Men in Blue had been whitewashed in the red-ball leg of the all-format series.

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Both Jitesh and Samson represented the international side in the 2025 tour of Australia. They are coming on the back of featuring for their respective states in the ongoing instalment of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.