Former India batter Subramaniam Badrinath delivered an emotional on-air statement that instantly struck a chord with fans, as he publicly empathised with Sanju Samson’s continued absence from India’s T20I playing XI. Speaking during the live broadcast, the former Chennai Super Kings mainstay questioned the team management led by Gautam Gambhir, asking how Shubman Gill continues to be backed as an opener despite his ongoing slump, especially when a proven performer like Samson is sitting on the bench.
Badrinath’s comments came immediately after Gill was dismissed for a golden duck in the second T20I against South Africa in Mullanpur on December 12. It was yet another setback for the young opener, who now has three single-digit scores in his last six T20I innings. Gill had already fallen cheaply for four in the series opener in Cuttack, raising further questions about India’s insistence on pairing him with Abhishek Sharma at the top.
Gill, who was made vice-captain upon his return after nearly a year away from T20Is, found himself preferred over Samson — breaking a successful opening combination that had flourished earlier in the year. Samson was not only pushed down the order in Australia but later dropped entirely from the XI.
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“Sanju Samson has scored three hundreds in T20 cricket. What more do you want from a player? It’s painful to see someone who has performed so well warming the bench,” Subramaniam Badrinath said on Star Sports Tamil. He further questioned Gill’s appointment as vice-captain, insisting that such roles should be given only to players assured of their place in the XI.
Former India captain and ex-chairman of selectors Kris Srikkanth echoed Badrinath’s frustration, pointing out Samson’s extraordinary strike rate of 183 since the 2024 T20 World Cup, compared to Gill’s 136. He accused the team management of being “confused” in both communication and selection strategy.
Srikkanth also slammed the decision to promote Axar Patel to No. 3 during a stiff chase of 214, calling it yet another example of muddled thinking. Axar, who typically bats in the lower middle order, struggled to adapt and managed a run-a-ball 21. India eventually folded for 162 despite a fighting fifty from Tilak Varma, allowing South Africa to level the series 1-1.
“Where is the clarity? Where is the fairness?” Subramaniam Srikkanth asked. “Even when Samson gets chances, he is shuffled around. How do you expect consistency?”
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Despite mounting criticism, India’s batting coach Ryan ten Doeschate defended Gill, urging patience and insisting that he saw “good signs” during the recent Australia tour. According to Doeschate, Gill’s latest dismissals were more about conditions and good bowling than poor intent.
Gill is expected to retain his spot for the third T20I in Dharamsala, with India still having eight matches — three against South Africa and five against New Zealand — to finalise their World Cup combination before the tournament begins on February 7.
