India’s T20 opening slot is a hot topic right now. Abhishek Sharma looks set at the top, and the big debate is: Sanju Samson or Shubman Gill as his opening partner? Both have talent, but their numbers and style tell two different stories.
Both have talent, both have match-winning ability, and both have produced special knocks. But their numbers, highest scores, recent form, and playing style show very different strengths.
This detailed article breaks down complete T20I stats, highest scores, and last 10 innings of both players, helping understand who suits India’s T20 approach better ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Sanju Samson vs Shubman Gill: as Opener
| Particulars | Sanju Samson (as Opener) | Shubman Gill (as Opener) |
|---|---|---|
| Matches | 17 | 34 |
| Innings | 17 | 34 |
| Runs | 522 | 841 |
| Balls Faced | 292 | 598 |
| Average | 30.70 | 29.00 |
| Strike Rate | 178.76 | 140.63 |
| Highest Score | 111 | 126* |
| 100s | 3 | 1 |
| 50s | 1 | 3 |
Takeways
- As an opener, Samson’s strike rate (178.76) is outstanding and fits modern T20 powerplay demands.
- Gill’s 126 is the single biggest knock*, but Samson has more centuries at the top.
- In simple words:
- Samson = faster scoring, more explosive starts.
- Gill = bigger anchor-style innings, better for building a platform.
Shubman Gill T20I Overall Numbers (Career Snapshot)
Gill’s T20I career numbers (2019–2025 window shown in the stats):
- Matches/Innings: 35/35
- Runs: 841
- Highest Score: 126*
- Average: 28.03
- Strike Rate: 140.40
- 100s/50s: 1 / 3
- Fours/Sixes: 93 / 26
Sanju Samson T20I Overall Numbers (Career Snapshot)
Samson’s overall T20I career numbers (2015–2025):
- Matches: 51
- Innings: 43
- Runs: 995
- Highest Score: 111
- Average: 25.51
- Strike Rate: 147.40
- 100s/50s: 3 / 3
- Fours/Sixes: 78 / 56
Highest Score: Who Has the Bigger Top Knock?
- Gill’s highest T20I score: 126* (biggest among the two)
- Samson’s highest T20I score: 111 (still a major T20 knock)
So, in pure “best innings” value, Gill leads on highest score, while Samson leads on explosive opening strike rate.
Read Also:- India Crush South Africa by 101 Runs in 1st T20I
Shubman Gill: Last 10 T20I Innings (Most Recent)
| Date | vs | Runs | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 Dec 2025 | South Africa | 0 | Caught |
| 9 Dec 2025 | South Africa | 4 | Caught |
| 8 Nov 2025 | Australia | 29* | Not out |
| 6 Nov 2025 | Australia | 46 | Bowled |
| 2 Nov 2025 | Australia | 15 | LBW |
| 31 Oct 2025 | Australia | 5 | Caught |
| 29 Oct 2025 | Australia | 37* | Not out |
| 28 Sep 2025 | Pakistan | 12 | Caught |
| 26 Sep 2025 | Sri Lanka | 4 | Caught |
| 24 Sep 2025 | Bangladesh | 29 | Caught |
What it shows: Gill has a few handy cameos and two not-outs recently, but also some low scores at the top, including the latest match.
Sanju Samson: Last 10 T20I Innings (Most Recent Batting Innings)
| Date | vs | Runs | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31 Oct 2025 | Australia | 2 | LBW |
| 28 Sep 2025 | Pakistan | 24 | Caught |
| 26 Sep 2025 | Sri Lanka | 39 | Caught |
| 21 Sep 2025 | Pakistan | 13 | Bowled |
| 19 Sep 2025 | Oman | 56 | Caught |
| 2 Feb 2025 | England | 16 | Caught |
| 31 Jan 2025 | England | 1 | Caught |
| 28 Jan 2025 | England | 3 | Caught |
| 25 Jan 2025 | England | 5 | Caught |
| 22 Jan 2025 | England | 26 | Caught |
What it shows: Samson’s recent batting list has one strong 56, a decent 39, but also many low scores. The big difference is: when Samson gets going, he can change the match very fast.
Powerplay Impact: The Biggest Difference
Why Samson looks dangerous in T20s
- As an opener, his strike rate is 178.76, which is elite for modern T20 cricket.
- He has 3 hundreds as opener — that’s a huge statement for top-order impact.
Why Gill stays in the conversation
- Gill has played more matches as opener (34), meaning the team has tested him more in that role.
- His style can help in matches where early wickets fall, because he can bat longer and control the innings.
Final Word: Who is “better” as a T20I opener right now?
If India wants maximum intent and boundary pressure in the powerplay, Samson’s opening numbers clearly show an edge (especially strike rate + 3 centuries).
If India wants more control, stability, and longer innings shape, Gill’s profile fits that approach better, and his top score (126*) proves he can go big too.
