Sanju Samson's record in T20 cricket as an opener

For the first time in his career, Sanju Samson will be getting a full three-match series to showcase his skills and talent for India and that too as an opener in T20Is, in the upcoming series against Bangladesh. Here's a look at his T20 record as an opener-

The last time Sanju Samson opened the innings in T20Is, he was dismissed for a golden duck during the Sri Lanka series in July

Overall, Samson has opened the innings five times in T20Is for India and has returned 105 runs at an average of 21, including three single-digit scores. Samson's best for India while opening the innings was 77 against Ireland in 2022

In IPL, however, Samson has opened the innings quite a lot, on 24 occasions in total, for Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Daredevils across five seasons - 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2019

Samson's record as an opener in IPL too pales in comparison to his overall record in the tournament history. In 24 innings, Samson has scored 559 runs at an average of 23.29 and a strike rate of 135, which is lower than his career average of 30.6 and 138.9 SR in IPL

Samson last opened in the IPL in 2019. Samson has three fifty-plus scores to his name in the IPL as an opener with the best being of 74, in the 2014 edition against the Mumbai Indians

Overall, Samson has 1,145 runs to his name as an opener in 45 innings in T20 cricket averaging just below 27 at a 134 strike rate. Samson has smashed nine half-centuries as an opener, with the highest being 87

Hence, it can be inferred that Samson hasn't had the best of the records as an opener in T20 cricket but the job security - that he is going to play all three matches - without any fear of losing his place might just make him click at the top of the order and also help elongate his career in T20Is for India