Why Sanju Samson Not Playing Today’s Match – India vs South Africa 3rd T20I?
Sanju Samson is not playing the 3rd T20I vs South Africa as India continue to back Shubman Gill despite his poor form in the series.
Sanju Samson has once again been left out of India’s playing XI for the third T20I against South Africa in Dharamshala, a decision that has sparked fresh debate among fans and experts.
Despite being part of the T20I squad, Samson has not played any of the first three matches of the series. The team management has decided to continue backing Shubman Gill at the top of the order.
Gill’s form has been a clear concern in this series. In the first T20I at Cuttack, he scored 4 runs off 2 balls before getting caught off Lungi Ngidi. In the second match at New Chandigarh, he was bowled by Ngidi for a first-ball duck.
Across two matches, Gill has managed just four runs, facing only three balls. His struggles have put his place under the spotlight, especially with the T20 World Cup in 2026 getting closer.
Sanju Samson, on the other hand, has strong recent T20I numbers. Last year, he scored three T20I centuries as an opener, showing both power and consistency at the top of the order.
Many expected Samson to get a chance after Gill’s back-to-back failures. However, the team management has chosen stability over change and kept faith in Gill for the third game.
The decision suggests that India are looking at the bigger picture rather than just short-term results. Gill is seen as a long-term option and a key player in India’s plans for the 2026 T20 World Cup.
At the toss, there was no indication of a change in batting combination, and India named Shubman Gill in the playing XI again. Sanju Samson remained on the bench.
India’s playing XI for the third T20I includes Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, and Varun Chakaravarthy.
The call has divided opinion. While some believe Gill deserves a longer rope based on his overall quality, others feel Samson has done enough to earn a place, especially given his recent success in the format.
With the series tied at 1-1, today’s match carries added pressure. If Gill fails again, the calls for Sanju Samson’s inclusion are only expected to grow louder in the remaining games.
For now, Samson remains sidelined, watching as India continue to back Gill in the hope that runs will come when it matters most.
