India’s decision to make Sanju Samson bat at No. 5 in the Asia Cup 2025 has sparked discussions, especially after his underwhelming performance in his first real test at the position. The Kerala batter, known for his explosive role at the top of the order in T20s, faced a challenge in adapting to the middle-order role against Pakistan. Despite scoring just 13 runs off 17 balls in that match, India’s assistant coach, Ryan ten Doeschate, is confident that Samson will find his rhythm in the coming games.
Samson Still Adjusting to the Middle-Order Role
When Shubman Gill was appointed as India’s vice-captain for the Asia Cup, it became apparent that Sanju Samson would have to adjust his batting position. As someone who has spent much of his career opening the batting in T20s, the shift to No. 5 wasn’t an easy one. In the match against Pakistan on September 21, 2025, Samson was asked to bat when the game was almost decided, with India already in a strong position after a brilliant 105-run partnership between Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma.
With the game slipping away, Samson could only manage a modest 13 runs from 17 balls, sparking doubts about his ability to excel in the middle order. However, Ryan ten Doeschate, India’s assistant coach, is firm in his belief that the Kerala batter can adapt. Ten Doeschate acknowledged that Samson is still figuring out how to play this unfamiliar role but expressed confidence in his ability to succeed in the future.
“There’s two outings now, two decent chances and he’s still figuring out how to play that role,” ten Doeschate said, offering support for the talented batter. “We’re really looking for a No. 5, and we believe Sanju is the best man for that job. We’ve got no doubt that he’ll figure out how to play that role in the future.”
India’s Focus on Clinical Performance Against Bangladesh
Looking ahead, India faces a crucial clash against Bangladesh. While they have had two wins so far, the competition format in the Asia Cup means that just two wins might not be enough to guarantee progression to the next round. Ten Doeschate emphasized that India cannot afford to take their “foot off the pedal” and must remain clinical against a tricky opponent like Bangladesh.
The assistant coach’s comments highlight the challenge of balancing team experimentation with the need for results in a short, high-stakes tournament. “It’s not like you can take your foot off the pedal at any time,” he remarked. “That’s been an unfortunate consequence of trying guys in different positions, but the key is to stay focused and keep pushing for the best results.”
As India continues to experiment with batting positions, the hope is that players like Samson will settle into their roles and make significant contributions when the team needs it the most.
