Former India captain and selector Kris Srikkanth has strongly backed Sanju Samson to return to India’s T20I squad after urging the selectors to take a hard call on Abhishek Sharma, who endured a disappointing series against Zimbabwe. Abhishek managed only 11 runs in three matches as India completed a dominant 3-0 T20I series sweep, and his lean run has now triggered fresh debate over India’s opening options in the shortest format.
Samson, meanwhile, was notably absent from the Zimbabwe series, with the BCCI yet to publicly explain the decision. The wicketkeeper-batter had been in the spotlight after winning the Player of the Tournament award at the 2026 T20 World Cup. He featured in the first three T20Is of India’s UK tour, was then left out for the next three matches in favour of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, and later returned for the final game. That stop-start selection pattern has only added to the conversation around his long-term place in India’s T20I setup.
Srikkanth believes Abhishek’s struggles have gone on long enough and that the selectors must now be brave. Speaking on his YouTube channel, the former chief selector said the left-hander had been “sorted out” in international cricket and that a tough decision was due. He also made it clear that Samson is likely to get another opportunity.
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“Abhishek Sharma has been sorted out in international cricket, right from the World Cup. I think a tough call has to be taken against him now. I feel Sanju will get his chance again now. He will receive a call back 100%. The selectors will have to take a tough call,” Kris Srikkanth said.
India’s next scheduled T20I assignment is the 2026 Asian Games in late September, where Samson, Sooryavanshi and Abhishek are all part of the squad. Before that, the BCCI is also reportedly exploring white-ball series against Afghanistan and Bangladesh, which could provide further opportunities for squad experimentation.
Abhishek’s form has been under scrutiny for some time. He struggled badly at the start of 2026, registering five ducks in his first eight innings, although then captain Suryakumar Yadav continued to back him strongly, stressing the team valued his fearless batting and match-winning potential.
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This is not the first time Srikkanth has questioned the differing treatment of Abhishek and Samson. He had earlier pointed out that Samson was the MVP of the T20 World Cup, yet continued to lose out on chances, while Abhishek was given a longer rope. For Srikkanth, that inconsistency remains a valid question for India’s selectors.
