The Board of Control for Cricket in India has sparked debate after leaving Sanju Samson out of the squad for the three-match T20I series in Zimbabwe. India head coach Gautam Gambhir is reportedly unhappy with the selection committee's decision to drop the wicketkeeper-batter after a few low scores.
Sanju Samson played a key role in India's 2026 T20 World Cup triumph and won the Player of the Tournament award. However, he recorded poor scores against Ireland and England. The 31-year-old lost his place in the playing XI for the second T20I before he was left out of the 15-member squad for the Zimbabwe tour.
Gautam Gambhir Upset After Selection Committee Drops Sanju Samson
Several reports suggested that Sanju Samson had been rested for the Zimbabwe T20I series. However, Dainik Jagran sports journalist Abhishek Tripathi stated that Samson, who does not play all three formats for India, had no reason to be rested. He also alleged that some selectors were acting beyond their role.
"Now some people will write that Sanju Samson has been rested. He has not been rested. Does Sanju play all three formats to need rest? Some selectors have started treating themselves like gods. There are going to be many problems in the coming days."
Some reports initially claimed that Samson had been rested for the Zimbabwe series. However, that explanation has been questioned because players like Shreyas Iyer and Tilak Varma are part of the squad, while Samson, who mainly plays T20Is for India, has been left out.
New selectors Are Trying to Act Like the Boss - Journalist on Sanju Samson's omission
Sports Today journalist Nitin K Srivastava also questioned the decision. He suggested that there could be a clear difference of opinion between the selection committee and the team management. He hinted that some selectors were trying to assert too much control over team decisions.
"It seems there is a huge difference between the selection panel and the team management, and a few new selectors are trying to act like the boss."
The decision has also drawn criticism from fans on social media. Many believe Samson deserved a longer run after playing a key role in India's 2026 T20 World Cup campaign. His omission after a few low scores has added to the debate over India's selection policy at the start of the new T20I cycle.
So GG is upset with selection committee after they dropped Sanju
— Sawai96 (@Aspirant_9457) July 6, 2026
These two are like spokesperson of gg pic.twitter.com/Mgs1LOeS3b
Sanju Samson Left Out Despite Starring in India's T20 World Cup Triumph
India have often used tours of Zimbabwe to give young players international experience. However, Sanju Samson's omission has become the biggest talking point after the squad announcement.
Samson played a key role in India's 2026 T20 World Cup title win. He won the Player of the Tournament award after scoring three consecutive half-centuries in India's final three victories, including crucial knocks against England in the semifinal and New Zealand in the final.
He finished the tournament with 321 runs in five matches at an average of 80.25 and a strike rate of 199.37. However, the 31-year-old struggled after the World Cup. He scored just six runs in three innings against Ireland and England, including three single-digit scores.
India dropped him for the second T20I against England, where Vaibhav Sooryavanshi made his debut. Two days later, the selectors left Samson out of the 15-member squad for the three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe, starting on July 23 in Harare.
from Cricket Addictor https://ift.tt/x2hbAYR
