Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has once again questioned the treatment of Sanju Samson, calling his omission from India’s T20I squad for the upcoming Zimbabwe series ‘just unfair’ and warning
that such decisions could create insecurity within the dressing room. He warned that players might be looking around in the dressing room, thinking ‘Who’s next?’ and being more selfish to retain their place.
Samson, who was named Player of the Tournament in India’s victorious 2026 T20 World Cup campaign, was first dropped for the second and third T20Is against England before also missing out on the Zimbabwe squad. While Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) officials have maintained that he has only been ‘rested’, Ashwin thinks it won’t help his confidence.
“I mean, what can I even say? It’s just unfair. Just unfair. I don’t agree with it. But it is what it is. I mean, I don’t know. Seriously, it’s difficult,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.
Ashwin argued that dropping players after brief dips in form could create an unhealthy atmosphere within the squad, with cricketers becoming more concerned about retaining their place than playing for the team.
“Sanju has been dropped because of losses and form. He has been left out. We’ve already lost two games. If we lose again, will someone else be dropped too? Who is next? That’s wrong. I really hope the Indian team finds itself. Indian cricketers should not be put in an insecure position.”
The former off-spinner added that such uncertainty could alter the way players approach T20 cricket. Where freedom of mind is important in the high-risk format, Ashwin said that Samson’s treatment after Suryakumar Yadav’s exit from the set-up is a recipe for ‘disastrous’ change of batting style.
‘Samson will start thinking about himself’
Ashwin also suggested that even if Samson returns to the side in the fourth T20I, which is expected, the fear of another axing could affect his intent at the crease.
“Even now I’m saying, imagine Sanju gets another chance. He too will start thinking about himself. And you can’t even say that’s wrong.”
