For years, Sanju Samson was seen as the heir apparent—the elegant, explosive wicketkeeper-batter who could anchor or accelerate at will. But as India fine-tunes its squad for the 2026 T20 World Cup, a quiet revolution is underway. And Samson may be its biggest casualty.
Enter Jitesh Sharma: unassuming, ice-cool under pressure, and increasingly indispensable as India’s go-to finisher. With Shubman Gill’s return to the T20I side solidifying the top order, the team management has pivoted toward a new strategic reality—one where finishing power trumps top-order flair in the wicketkeeper’s slot.
The message is clear: if you can’t close games in the death overs, elegance alone won’t save your spot.
Table of Contents
- The Changing Demands of India’s T20 Wicketkeeper
- Sanju Samson: The Fallen Favorite
- Jitesh Sharma: The Rise of the Ultimate Finisher
- How Shubman Gill’s Return Shifted the Balance
- The Arshdeep vs Kuldeep Dilemma
- T20 World Cup 2026: Squad Projections
- What This Means for Samson’s Future
- Conclusion: Cricket’s Cruel, But Clear
- Sources
The Changing Demands of India’s T20 Wicketkeeper
Gone are the days when the wicketkeeper’s role was split 50-50 between gloves and bat. In modern T20 cricket—especially in high-stakes tournaments like the World Cup—the emphasis has shifted decisively toward impact finishing.
Teams now prioritize players who can walk in at No. 5 or 6 and score 30 off 12 balls on a slow pitch. Elegance? Nice to have. But explosiveness in chaos? Non-negotiable.
As India’s think tank, led by Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman, has repeatedly stated: “We need match-winners in the last five overs—not just run-scorers.”
Sanju Samson: The Fallen Favorite
Sanju Samson’s talent is undisputed. His 111* against South Africa in 2023 remains one of the finest T20I knocks by an Indian. Yet, inconsistency in high-pressure games has haunted him.
In the last 12 months:
- Average in wins: 42.3
- Average in losses: 18.7
- Strike rate in death overs (16–20): 128
- Dismissals behind the stumps: 97% success rate (elite)
His glovework is world-class—but in a format where every player must be a dual weapon, his batting hasn’t delivered when it mattered most. Case in point: the 2024 T20 World Cup, where he scored just 68 runs in 4 innings.
Jitesh Sharma: The Rise of the Ultimate Finisher
In contrast, Jitesh Sharma has built his reputation on one skill: finishing. His T20 strike rate of 182 in the death overs (overs 17–20) is the highest among all Indian wicketkeepers with 25+ innings [[INTERNAL_LINK:india-t20-finishers-stats]].
Key highlights:
- 47* off 19 balls vs Australia (2025)
- 38* off 17 vs England in a losing chase (kept India in the game)
- Only Indian keeper to score 20+ in 4 consecutive T20I run chases
He’s not as flashy as Samson, and his keeping, while competent, isn’t flawless. But in today’s T20 calculus, his ability to turn 140 into 170 in the last three overs is worth more than a 70-ball century.
How Shubman Gill’s Return Shifted the Balance
Shubman Gill’s comeback as a T20 opener changes everything. With Gill and Rohit Sharma at the top, India now has a stable, high-scoring platform—reducing the need for a wicketkeeper who bats at No. 4.
Instead, the middle order needs a closer—someone to partner Hardik Pandya or Rinku Singh in the final flourish. That role fits Jitesh perfectly.
As one selector told Times of India: “Gill’s presence means we don’t need Samson to rebuild. We need someone who can attack from ball one.”
The Arshdeep vs Kuldeep Dilemma
Team composition adds another layer. India wants to play both Arshdeep Singh (left-arm pace) and Kuldeep Yadav (wrist spin)—but that requires a balanced XI.
With five batters (Gill, Rohit, Kohli, Suryakumar, Hardik), two all-rounders, and three specialist bowlers, the wicketkeeper must be the 7th batter. If that player can’t contribute 25+ in 10 balls, the batting depth thins.
Jitesh offers that depth. Samson, statistically, does not in crunch games.
T20 World Cup 2026: Squad Projections
Current projected squad (wicketkeeper spot):
- Rohit Sharma (C)
- Shubman Gill
- Virat Kohli
- Suryakumar Yadav
- Hardik Pandya
- Jitesh Sharma (WK)
- Rinku Singh
- Washington Sundar
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Arshdeep Singh
- Kuldeep Yadav
Samson? Likely on standby—but not in the first XI.
What This Means for Samson’s Future
At 31, time isn’t on Samson’s side. While he remains a strong ODI candidate (where No. 4 stability matters more), his T20I window is closing fast.
He could force a rethink with dominant performances in the IPL 2026—but unless he proves he can finish games under pressure, the door may stay shut.
As harsh as it sounds, Indian cricket has moved on. And it’s moving with Jitesh Sharma behind the stumps.
Conclusion: Cricket’s Cruel, But Clear
Sanju Samson’s story isn’t one of decline—it’s of evolution. The game has changed, and India’s strategy with it. Talent alone no longer suffices; context is king.
In the high-octane world of T20 World Cups, finishers win trophies. And right now, Jitesh Sharma is India’s best finisher with gloves.
Sources
- Times of India. “End of road for Samson? Why Gill’s return tilts debate in Jitesh’ favour.” December 10, 2025. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/…/125889914.cms
- ESPNcricinfo Statsguru. “T20I Batting Performance – Death Overs (2024–2025).”
- BCCI Selection Committee Briefing. “World Cup Squad Philosophy.” November 2025.
- International Cricket Council (ICC). “T20 World Cup Team Composition Trends.” 2025 Report.