Last Updated on 3 hours ago by Charbel Coorey
It’s March 2026. Sanju Samson played three outstanding innings to lead India to their second-straight men’s T20 World Cup title. He proved his potential to his doubters as he picked up the player of the tournament award.
Fast forward to July and Samson has incredibly been left out of India’s squad for their T20I series in Zimbabwe. According to cricinfo, selectors did not wish to carry another wicketkeeper on tour with Prabhsimran Singh also named.
This comes as another portion of fans felt it was time for Samson to make way for wonderkid Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, as reported by CricBlog last week, leading to plenty of noise the Indian team management has constantly tried to bat away.
Have India treated Sanju Samson too harshly? Fans react to his omission from Zimbabwe T20I squad
Despite the fact that Samson is named in India’s squad for the 2026 Asian Games in September, numerous fans and pundits are critical of how the opener has been treated. He was dropped following scores of 5, 0 and 1 in India’s ongoing tour of Ireland and England, with Sooryavanshi making his debut in the second T20I at Manchester.
“It already seems like we are not doing right with Sanju [Samson],” said Aakash Chopra, as quoted by TOI.
India’s decision has been thrust into the spotlight, with passionate supporters questioning the process.
“Use and Throw for players? Would love for some clarity. I’m fine with moving on, but replacing people in 3 games feels unsustainable,” wrote one fan on X (formerly Twitter).
“Winning a title doesn’t give you a freehand to chuck any player you want at any point in time what’s happening now is beyond pathetic and would shatter any player,” wrote another.
Here are some of the reactions:
India’s tour of Zimbabwe begins four days after the ODI series in England. The T20Is are scheduled for July 23, 25 and 26 at Harare Sports Club.
