Sanju Samson, facing questions over his shifting role in India’s T20 batting order, reached beyond cricket for an answer. Asked by Sanjay Manjrekar about being moved from opener to the middle order, Samson invoked Malayalam actor Mohanlal, fresh from receiving the Dadasaheb Phalke Award.
Watch: Sanju Samson Brings In Mohanlal Analogy
“Lalettan has been acting for 30–40 years,” Samson said before India’s Asia Cup Super Four game against Bangladesh. “He cannot say he will only play the hero. Sometimes he has to be a villain, sometimes a joker. I too cannot say I am only an opener. Why can’t I be a good villain?”
Sanju Samson’s villain arc loading… 🦹♂️🔥
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It was a neat analogy, delivered with a smile, but also a window into the precariousness of an Indian batting berth. Since January 2024, Samson has prospered as opener, scoring 487 runs in 18 innings at a strike rate of 170, with three centuries. Yet the return of Shubman Gill to the top alongside Abhishek Sharma has pushed him down the order, despite fears he might lose his place altogether.
Samson has struggled for fluency in his new role: a scratchy half-century against the UAE, a subdued 13 against Pakistan, and then no chance to bat against Bangladesh, where he was listed at No. 8. He has nonetheless credited captain Suryakumar Yadav and coach Gautam Gambhir with keeping faith and providing clarity: “It’s a different role, but they told me they believe I can contribute.”
IND vs BAN: India Beat Bangladesh Handsomely
India beat Bangladesh by 41 runs in Dubai, underpinned by Abhishek’s 75 and Kuldeep Yadav’s bowling, securing passage to the final. Samson, meanwhile, remains India’s Mohanlal: versatile, waiting for his next role, and hoping the script is kind.
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