Veteran India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has backed wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson to bat at no. 3 within the ongoing T20I sequence towards Ireland. Samson, who has been synonymous with no. 3 whereas enjoying for Rajasthan Royals within the Indian Premier League (IPL), has been requested to bat decrease down the order for India. However, with the likes of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan rested for the Ireland tour, Samson would possibly get the prospect to bat in his most popular place.

“Jitesh is a right-hander and Rinku is a left-hander. Both Jitesh Sharma and Rinku Singh are the ones who could fit in the number 5, and 6 roles. However, I feel Sanju Samson will get the nod as the keeper ahead of Jitesh Sharma. The series is an extraordinary chance to play Sanju as a keeper and make him bat at number 3. He will surely bat at number 3 or 4,” Ashwin on his YouTube channel.

Ashwin additionally weighed in on the controversy round Samson being wasted at no. 6. He feels that India has at all times been a batting heavy group, particularly the highest 4 batters.

“Another debate is on how Sanju Samson is a top-order batter and how he is being wasted as a number 6 in T20Is. See, Team India’s top 4 has been really heavy all this while,” he added.

India gained the primary T20I towards Ireland by two runs through DLS methodology on Friday.

Samson, nonetheless, performed only one ball, remaining unbeaten on 1.