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India are all set to take on Australia in the final T20I of the five-match series at the Gabba Cricket Ground in Brisbane. Sanju Samson has been dropped from the playing XI for the previous two matches, with Jitesh Sharma coming in place of him as the specialist wicketkeeper-batter in the side. India have won both their last two games, and hence would not like to tinker their winning combination. Hence, it is less likely that Samson will sit out in the final match as well. Mohammed Kaif has held Shubman Gill responsible for the omission of Samson in the playing XI. In a video posted on his YouTube channel, Mohammed Kaif said that Shubman Gill playing as the vice-captain warrants his place in the playing XI. Hence Sanju Samson, who opened the batting in T20Is for most of the time since the T20 World Cup 2024, has been sidelined. “If Sanju Samson were playing, there would be no confusion, but with Shubman Gill as vice-captain playing in all matches, Sanju Samson seems sidelined,” Kaif said. FOLLOW: India Vs Australia 5th T20I Live Updates 'Sanju Lost Spot Because Gill Is Being Groomed As Future Captain' Shubman Gill is being groomed as the future captain of India in all three formats. Hence, Kaif said that Sanju Samson has lost his spot. Jites Sharma is considered as the specialist finisher in the squad, a role that is not familiar with Sanju. Hence, Jitesh is being favoured as the first-choice wicketkeeper-batter in the India T20I squad. “Jitesh Sharma is seen as a better finisher at number five or six than Sanju, which works in Sharma’s favour. But because Gill is being groomed as a future captain and player, Sanju has lost his spot,” Kaif said. “Sanju’s record is excellent, a strike rate of around 150. But they are backing players by the batting number position now," the former India batter added. Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from Sports, Cricket and around the world.
