“I feel he will play in the XI” - Aakash Chopra on star batter as potential keeper for 2026 T20 World Cup

Aakash Chopra, a cricket expert and former India opener, has raised questions about Sanju Samson's prospects as an India wicketkeeper-batter for the 2026 T20 World Cup. Although Samson has long been praised for his skill at the crease and ability for stroke making, Chopra thinks his middle-order statistics raise serious concerns about his flexibility and dependability under pressure.

He clarified that, given his superior middle-order batting record, Jitesh Sharma will be India's strongest wicketkeeper-batter. Sanju Samson, on the other hand, does best as an opener or at number three, but when he bats in the middle order, his numbers suffer. The wicketkeeper will most likely bat between Nos. 4 and 7, a position that Jitesh excels at, as Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma are expected to begin.

"We come to the man who is there (in the Asia Cup squad). I feel he will play in the XI. That is Jitesh Sharma. When he has played at Nos. 1 to 3, he has a strike rate of 135 and an average of 25. We shouldn't think too much about that because he won't get a chance there. However, his numbers at Nos. 4 to 7 have become a lot better," he said on YouTube.

"He has a strike rate of 166 and an average of 28. He is the first batter whose strike rate is above 150. So when the pecking order is prepared, he will go right at the top. Jitesh Sharma's numbers have looked the best amongst everyone else. Jitesh Sharma is shining bright. He seems to be at No. 1," Chopra added.

Aakash Chopra, a former Indian cricket player, also shared his thoughts on KL Rahul, India's top batsman and wicketkeeper, as a possibility and what may make the difference.

“When I look at Nos. 4 to 7, he still has an average of 40, but he has a strike rate of 133. I don’t think a strike rate of 133 at Nos. 4 to 7 is going to cut it,” Chopra said.

Stay updated with the latest cricket news, match insights, and exclusive updates at BetBarter and download the BetBarter app to start betting today!