India, Dec. 10 -- For the fourth time in India's last six T20Is since the Asia Cup in September, Sanju Samson was rested to make way for Jitesh Sharma in the playing XI. Primarily an opener, and having proved his worth in that role since the end of the last T20 World Cup in June, the wicketkeeper-batter was pushed into a middle-order position after the BCCI unveiled their 'Shubman Gill plan' and marked his return to T20Is during the Asia Cup. After a brief run of just five innings in the new role, Samson was dropped as India opted for a specialist finisher in Jitesh, who also keeps wickets.

On Tuesday, Samson missed out for the fourth straight match, with Jitesh retained for the series opener against South Africa in Cuttack. The call spa...