Nearly four months after delivering a Player of the Tournament performance at the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup, Sanju Samson has found himself on the sidelines for India’s final two T20Is of the ongoing England tour. His omission came after a lean run of just six runs across three innings, including a duck, which opened the door for changes in India’s top order.
The timing of Samson’s exclusion also aligned with the growing demand to hand 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi his international debut. India eventually made room for the teenager, but that meant one of the openers had to sit out. With Sooryavanshi batting at the top, the team had to choose between Samson and Abhishek Sharma, and current form ultimately went against the wicketkeeper-batter.
India head coach Gautam Gambhir said he has already spoken to Sanju Samson about the decision, but made it clear that the discussion will remain private. Speaking after India’s heavy defeat in the third T20I, Gambhir defended the call by pointing to Samson’s outstanding role in the T20 World Cup and the need to balance that against present form.
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“The clarity Sanju Samson needed, I’ve already given that to him and that conversation will remain between the coach and the player,” Gautam Gambhir said. “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.”
Gautam Gambhir said : “We are absolutely clear that what Sanju Samson has done for India at World Cup has been phenomenal, and sometimes you just have to look at the form as well of a certain player Or there is any hard and fast rule that he cannot make a
comeback in this series… pic.twitter.com/dfOKSZBh9U— Vipin Tiwari (@Vipintiwari952) July 7, 2026
Gambhir also indicated that Samson could still return later in the five-match series, with India now trailing 0-2. He stressed that there is no permanent decision and that selection will continue to depend on the best combination for the team’s results.
“There’s nothing like a hard and fast rule that he cannot make a comeback in this series. Ultimately, international cricket is about results. Whatever combination gives us the best chance to win, we will play that XI. I have always believed everyone needs to earn their place and earn the right to play for India,” he added.
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India’s recent T20I form has been worrying, with four defeats in their last five matches, one of them washed out by rain. Gambhir admitted that the side has struggled to adapt to conditions, whether in Ireland or England, and said the results reflect that lack of adjustment.
“We haven’t adapted well. That’s the reality, be it Ireland or in England. The results are in front of you,” he said.
