Sanju Samson returns as India opener after 10 months and outscores Gill

Sanju Samson returned to India's opener role after ten months, with Shubman Gill missing the fifth T20I against South Africa in Ahmedabad on Friday.

Sanju had not featured in the series before tonight, with Jitesh Sharma preferred as wicketkeeper batter in a lower middle order role. A toe injury sustained by Gill in the nets ahead of the fourth T20I in Lucknow, which was cancelled due to severe fog, turned out to be a blessing for the Kerala star.

Though Sanju made a good start, he could not capitalise and was bowled by George Linde for 37 off 22. Sanju missed a sharp turn as he tried to push it straight down the ground. While Sanju should be disappointed with his dismissal, he outscored Gill in the series with just an innings. The injured vice-captain had made 4, 0 and 28 across three innings.

Gill has not hit a fifty since he took the opener role from Sanju, which was 15 innings ago. Sanju had lost his opener role to Gill during the Asia Cup. Before that, he last opened an Indian innings in the home series against England in January-February.

Despite not facing the new ball for a long time, Sanju did not appear rusty and got cracking, starting his boundary counter with a majestic six, whipping a length ball from Marco Jansen over mid-on. 

He hit a straight drive, timing beautifully for a four off Ottneil Baartman's first ball, and cleared the pacer through mid-on a ball later to remind fans and Gautam Gambhir of the quality he brings to the position.

Sanju did get lucky as he went hard and mistimed, but the ball landed safely outside the circle. He got lucky again in the final ball of the over, as an edge flew between slips.

But Sanju wasn't going to stop, and he hammered Jansen over extra cover the next over. At the end of powerplay, Abhishek Sharma (34) had been dismissed, but Sanju was unbeaten on 27 off 13. Sanju smashed Linde for a six to take himself to 35 off 19, but the spinner had the last laugh. 

South Africa captain Aiden Markram won the toss and opted to field, with India leading the series 2-1.