Nearly four months after producing a player-of-the-tournament-winning performance at the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup, Sanju Samson finds himself warming the bench for India’s last two T20Is of the ongoing England tour. The decision came after Samson managed just six runs in three T20Is, including a duck.
Samson‘s exclusion coincided with the growing clamour to hand 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi his international debut. India did play Sooryavanshi, but had to leave Samson out to make room for the teenager.
It was always going to be a challenge to accommodate Sooryavanshi, given that he is an opener. The team had to bench either Samson or Abhishek Sharma, and eventually based the decision on current form, with Samson paying the price.
So where does this leave Samson’s future in T20Is?
India head coach Gautam Gambhir revealed that he has already spoken to the wicketkeeper-batter but insisted the conversation would remain private.
“The clarity Sanju Samson needed, I’ve already given that to him and that conversation will remain between the coach and the player,” Gambhir told reporters after India crashed to their biggest defeat in T20Is on Tuesday. “As far as clarity is concerned, we are absolutely clear what Sanju has done for India during the World Cup has been phenomenal and sometimes you just have to look at the form as well of a certain player.”
Gambhir indicated that Samson could still have a role to play in the ongoing five-match T20I series against England, which India currently trail 0-2.
“And there’s nothing like hard and fast rule that he cannot make a comeback in this series. And more importantly, ultimately international cricket is about result. So, whatever we feel is the best combination to give us the results, we play that combination, we play that playing 11, and that is what I’ve always been a big believer that everyone needs to earn their place. Everyone needs to earn the right to play for India,” Gambhir said.
