‘Just unfair’: Ashwin slams selectors for insulting Zimbabwe’s Sanju Samson

NEW DELHI: Former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has come down heavily on the selectors for dropping Sanju Samson from India’s T20I squad for the upcoming tour of Zimbabwe, terming the decision as “simply unfair”. Ashwin also warned that frequent changes in the team could create insecurity among the players and damage the T20 setup in India.In his appearance on YouTube Ash Ki Baat, Ashwin said that he completely disagrees with the decision.“I mean, what can I say? It’s just unfair. It’s just unfair. I don’t agree with it. But it is. I mean, I don’t know. Seriously, it’s hard.”Ashwin questioned the logic behind dropping Samson after a couple of poor scores and wondered who would be next if the team continued to lose.“Sanju has been dropped due to losses and form. He has been left out. We have already lost two matches. If we lose again, will someone else be dropped? Who is next? This is wrong. I really hope the Indian team is found. Indian cricketers should not be put in a precarious position.”Samson’s omission became one of the biggest topics in Indian cricket. The wicket-keeper batsman, who was named player of the tournament in this year’s T20 World Cup, managed scores of 5, 0 and 1 in his last three innings against Ireland and the opening T20I against England.Samson was replaced in the playing eleven by 15-year-old batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and was later left out of the squad for Zimbabwe.Ashwin said such decisions can make players think more about protecting their place than winning matches.“As I said earlier after the SKY incident, players become isolated. They start thinking only about themselves. It’s disastrous in T20 cricket.”“If the batsmen start thinking that they will be out if they don’t score, they start playing just to protect their place in the team, which is extremely dangerous.Ashwin added that even if Samson gets another opportunity, the pressure to keep his place could affect the way he bats.“I’m even saying now, imagine if Sanju gets another chance. He’ll start thinking about himself too. And you can’t even say it’s wrong.”“If Sanju makes 45 or 48 from 25 balls and takes two more deliveries to reach his fifty, you can’t say it’s bad because he’s trying to protect his place in the team. I really hope… I really hope they find a solution to that.”Ashwin further argued that a good domestic season should not automatically guarantee an India call-up, responding to suggestions that players like Prabhsimran Singh deserve an opportunity after impressive performances.“There is a player named Hunny Saini in our TNPL team. He is a very good player and a great finisher. He also wants a chance. There is BR Sharad from Bengaluru Dragons who is also playing well. If you are asking when they should get a chance then send them to Zimbabwe too. I will also send Hunny Saini.”“You see, I have all the time for Prabhsimran Singh. He is a very good player. He has performed brilliantly. He has scored over 500 runs.”“Does he deserve a break? Maybe he does. Maybe it’s debatable. But nowhere is it written that scoring 500 runs in a season automatically guarantees an Indian call-up,” Ashwin said.