End of road for Sanju Samson? Why Shubman Gill's return in T20Is tilts wicketkeeper debate in Jitesh Sharma’s favour

What began as a trial during the closing games of the Australia tour now looks more like a direction. Jitesh Sharma’s selection ahead of Sanju Samson in the first T20I against South Africa offered a clear view of how the team management is shaping its plans for the upcoming T20 World Cup.The choice is hard to contest. With Shubman Gill back in the T20 setup, Samson has been pushed out of the top order and, since then, has found it tough to break into the playing XI. In that context, the think tank appears to have opted for a lower-order option who is used to finishing games rather than a top-order batter adjusting to a different role.Jitesh, who sees finishing as his main job, is now in line to start at the World Cup unless his form dips drastically in the remaining series against South Africa and New Zealand.

At this point, the wicketkeeping slot seems a straight contest between Jitesh and Samson, leaving little room for alternatives.Former India wicketkeeper Deep Dasgupta backed the call, saying, "It is the right call. If Sanju is not in top three and if the keeper is batting in the middle order you rather play a specialist, a lower order batter than a top order batter. It is not easy batting for two balls or four balls.""Jitesh is a specialist in that regard," Dasgupta was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.

Looking ahead, Dasgupta added, "Nine games to go (before World Cup), I don't see too many changes ahead of the T20 World Cup," underlining the sense of stability in the current setup.Arsh or Kul: Only one deep can playThe team selection in Cuttack also highlighted another trade-off. If India want batting depth till No. 8, it becomes difficult to fit both Arshdeep Singh and

Kuldeep Yadav

in the XI.During the Asia Cup in the UAE, Arshdeep, despite being India’s leading wicket-taker in the format, spent much of the time on the bench.

He played three games in Australia and made his presence felt again against South Africa, drawing an edge with an outswinger. His skill to bowl at the death is undoubtedly a key asset for the Indian team in T20 cricket.His inclusion, though, came at the cost of Kuldeep, who had picked up wickets in the ODI series even with heavy dew.Dasgupta acknowledged the dilemma. "It is unfortunate (picking between Arshdeep and Kuldeep).

The way Arshdeep is bowling (you have to pick him). He is the highest wicket-taker for you in the format," he told PTI."You would want to have both ideally but you can't (with batting needed till 8),” he said.Broadly, the team looks settled heading into the World Cup, but there are areas to watch. Runs have not flowed from captain Suryakumar Yadav, and vice-captain Gill has also had a lean phase.On the senior batters, he added, “(on SKY and Gill) I would not say a concern but ideally you would want to see them get runs. Once you start thinking about runs, the chances are you won't bat freely."With Surya, it is not one series, we have not seen the best of him since he took over captaincy (last year).”