‘Gautam Gambhir knows it wasn’t fair to Sanju’: Ashwin questions Samson’s omission
Indian batsman Sanju Samson (PTI Photo) Former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has expressed concern over Sanju Samson’s sudden drop in India’s T20I order, questioning whether outside pressure and social media narratives are starting to influence selection decisions. Samson, who was named player of the tournament during India’s successful T20 World Cup campaign earlier this year, has suffered a dramatic change in fortunes. After registering three consecutive single-figure scores against Ireland and England, he was dropped from the playing XI in Manchester, with teenager Vaibhav Sooryavanshi handed his long-awaited international debut. India lost the match by four wickets as Sooryavanshi managed 14 runs. The wicketkeeper’s struggles continued as he was left out of India’s squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe, with Prabhsimran Singh earning the call-up instead after an impressive IPL 2026 campaign for the Punjab Kings. He talks on his YouTube channel Ash Ki BaatAshwin admitted he was surprised at how quickly Samson was sidelined despite his recent contributions. “I’m worried right now. I’m worried because Sanju Samson was kicked out of the team so quickly. What will Sanju think now? How motivated will he be when he goes to train in the nets?” Ashwin said. The former spinner also suggested that India should look at reshuffling the batting order rather than pushing Samson out completely. With Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Ishan Kishan all left-handed, Ashwin felt Samson could fit in at No.3. “Right now you have three left-handers in the top order: Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Ishan Kishan. Now they will consider Sanju as No. 3, I’m telling you. Everyone knows, including the coaching staff and Gautam Gambhir, that this situation has not been fair to Sanju. So they will manage it somehow now.” Ashwin acknowledged that tough calls are part of international cricket but argued that players who have consistently repaid the team’s faith deserve a longer run before being dropped. In his opinion, Samson earned this support by his performances. The veteran also expressed wider concern about whether outside opinion is starting to shape decisions within the Indian set-up. Sooryavanshi’s selection was widely demanded by fans after his record-breaking IPL season and Ashwin questioned whether that public sentiment found its way into the selection process. “One thing worries me. Are the social media narratives and all the external noise finding their way into the team? Does it affect decision-making? I have watched cricket for a long time and I have seen many leaders in the Indian team. They never let external noise enter the dressing room and that is exactly how it should be,” he said.
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Share an opinion India will travel to Zimbabwe later this month for a three-match T20I series in Harare on July 23, 25 and 27. Samson’s absence from the squad marks another setback for the 31-year-old, whose place has gone to Prabhsimran Singh after his strong domestic and IPL performances.