India have announced their squad for the Asia Cup 2025, and one of the main talking points is the inclusion of two wicketkeeper-batters: Sanju Samson and Jitesh Sharma. Both bring different styles of batting, and both have been in the spotlight recently.
Sanju has been around the T20I setup for years, while Jitesh forced his way back into the side after an impressive IPL 2025 season. His explosive batting for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, including a stunning 85* off 33 balls, played a huge role in RCB lifting the trophy.
With Shubman Gill returning as vice-captain and likely opening the batting, there is a chance that only one of Samson or Jitesh will make the playing XI. This makes their comparison more interesting, especially when we look at their records after nine T20 internationals.
Runs After 9 Matches
- Sanju Samson made his T20I debut in 2015 against Zimbabwe. After his first nine matches, he had scored 117 runs with a highest of 27 against Sri Lanka in 2021.
- Jitesh Sharma, who debuted in 2023 against Nepal, has 100 runs in seven innings, with a best of 35.
The difference in runs is not much, which shows both started on a fairly equal note.
| Player | Matches | Innings | Runs | Highest |
| Sanju Samson | 9 | 9 | 117 | 27 |
| Jitesh Sharma | 9 | 7 | 100 | 35 |
Average and Strike Rate
Both Samson and Jitesh are known for their power-hitting. But their numbers at the same stage tell a different story.
- Samson, after nine games, had an average of 13.00 and a strike rate of 113.59.
- Jitesh, after nine games, has an average of 14.28 and a strike rate of 147.05.
Clearly, Jitesh showed more attacking intent early in his career.
| Player | Matches | Average | Strike Rate |
| Sanju Samson | 9 | 13.00 | 113.59 |
| Jitesh Sharma | 9 | 14.28 | 147.05 |
Impact in Winning Matches
Performances in winning causes often tell us how valuable a player is to the team.
- Out of Samson’s 117 runs in his first nine games, 81 came in victories, at an average of 13.5 and a strike rate of 150.
- Jitesh has done slightly better, with 99 out of his 100 runs scored in wins, averaging 16.50 at a strike rate of 152.31.
| Player | Matches Won | Runs in Wins | Average | Strike Rate |
| Sanju Samson | 6 | 81 | 13.50 | 150.00 |
| Jitesh Sharma | 7 | 99 | 16.50 | 152.31 |
Jitesh edges ahead here, showing he can step up when it matters most.
Experience vs Fresh Energy
One thing that separates them is experience.
- Samson has already played over 40 T20Is and is a proven name in Indian cricket.
- Jitesh, however, brings fresh energy and fearless hitting, something India often looks for in the lower order.
Another key factor is role flexibility. Samson usually plays as a top-order batter, while Jitesh is more suited to finishing games, which gives India different options depending on match situations.
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