Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has said that Sanju Samson’s exclusion from India’s T20I squad for the Zimbabwe series would be justified only if fitness was the real reason behind the call. The selectors announced the 15-member squad on Monday, July 6, for the three-match series, which begins on July 23, and Samson’s omission quickly became one of the biggest talking points.

The wicketkeeper-batter’s snub has triggered intense debate, especially because he played a key role in India’s 2026 T20 World Cup triumph. Samson finished the tournament as India’s leading run-scorer, piling up 321 runs in five innings at a strike rate of nearly 200 and earning the Player of the Tournament award for his match-winning performances in the knockout stages.

Amid the growing discussion around his omission, Manjrekar shared a blunt assessment on X on Wednesday, July 8. He said fitness was the only reason that would make Samson’s omission reasonable and suggested that the Kerala batter needed to take greater care of his physical condition. Manjrekar also added that, at this stage of his career, Samson should look at Virat Kohli as an example of how to maintain high standards.

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“Only reason that is valid for Samson dropping is his fitness. If that’s the reason, it’s a fair call. Samson not helping his cause by not being in peak physical condition. At this stage of his career, Samson must keep Virat as his role model,” he wrote.

Only reason that is valid for Samson dropping is his fitness. If that’s the reason, it’s a fair call.

Samson not helping his cause by not being in peak physical condition.

At this stage of his career, Samson must keep Virat as his role model.

— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) July 8, 2026

Samson’s overall T20I record remains impressive. Since making his debut in 2015, he has played 65 matches, scored 1,405 runs at an average of 27.01 and a strike rate of 155.42, and registered six half-centuries along with three centuries. Despite those numbers, recent lean returns appear to have hurt his place in the current setup.

India’s ongoing five-match T20I series against England has only intensified the spotlight on the selection call. Samson was dropped after the opening match following three consecutive single-digit scores, and India were then handed a heavy 125-run defeat in the third T20I in Nottingham while chasing 202.

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When asked about Samson’s omission after that loss, head coach Gautam Gambhir made it clear that team balance remains the top priority. He also left the door open for Samson to return later in the series if the management feels he fits the best combination. “International cricket is about results, so whatever we feel is the best combination to give us that result, we play that combination and that playing XI,” Gambhir said. “There is no hard and fast rule that he cannot make a comeback in this series,” he added.

India and England will next face off in the fourth T20I at Bristol on Thursday, July 9.