Former India batter Subramaniam Badrinath has raised questions about what he sees as possible double standards in India’s T20I selection policy, especially regarding Tilak Varma and Sanju Samson during the ongoing series against England. Samson was dropped from the playing XI for the last two T20Is after three consecutive low scores, but Badrinath believes the way the two batters are being treated does not appear fully consistent.
Samson, however, had earlier produced a superb run of form in T20Is, scoring three straight half-centuries and playing a key role in India’s title-winning campaign at the 2026 T20 World Cup. Tilak Varma, meanwhile, has had a mixed year in T20Is, with his performances fluctuating across the format. Even so, he has continued to get opportunities and was recently handed the vice-captaincy in India’s T20I setup.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Cric it with Badri, Badrinath said Tilak’s struggles against spin this year have been significant and questioned why one player is backed through lean phases while another is removed after a few failures.
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“Tilak Varma has been woeful against spin in T20Is this year. He is averaging less than 23 and striking at just 91. But he remains in the side, which makes me want to ask, ‘Is there double standards in the Indian team?’ Samson is dropped after very few failures but Tilak has been consistently struggling against spin, yet, keeps getting picked,” S Badrinath said.
He further added that while Vaibhav Suryavanshi is undeniably a special talent, the decision to play him at the expense of Samson is still open to debate. In Badrinath’s view, leaving Samson out of the XI can be understood, but dropping him from the squad itself is a much harsher call.
“Though Vaibhav Suryavanshi is an unbelievable talent, whether he should have played at the cost of Sanju Samson is highly debatable. Even Samson not playing in the 11 and being given a break is acceptable. But leaving him off the squad itself is harsh and shocking,” he said.
Samson has now also been left out of India’s squad for the upcoming T20I series in Zimbabwe, further fuelling discussion around his long-term role in the side.
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S Badrinath also turned his attention to 15-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who was fast-tracked into the India T20I team after a sensational IPL 2026 season. The youngster scored 776 runs at an average of 48.50 and a strike rate above 237, but his early international outings have been modest, with the left-hander failing to cross 15 in his first two matches despite hitting two sixes in each.
“I hope we have not just hyped Vaibhav Suryavanshi. He has had a great start and is a phenomenal hitter. But suddenly it’s starting to look like Jofra Archer is sorting him out. I hope he hasn’t been hyped too early,” S Badrinath said.
