'You can pick teams by succumbing to social media pressure?' - R Ashwin shares candid take on Sooryavanshi-Samson selection conundrum

Ravichandran Ashwin has questioned whether outside pressure and social media narratives are influencing India's T20I selection decisions, lamenting the frequent team changes that have left both Sanju Samson and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi caught in selection limbo during the ongoing England tour.

Sooryavanshi replaced Samson in the playing XI for the second T20I at Emirates Old Stafford on July 4, with the 15-year-old debutant scoring 14 runs. The constant flux between the two batters has sparked debate

about team stability and the psychological impact on players caught in the shuffle.

"I'm still telling you Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is an incredible player. If I were the selector, I would have also picked him. But let him take his time. This is called an internship, right?" Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin expressed concern about how quickly Samson had been dropped, questioning what the World Cup Player of the Tournament would be thinking and how motivated he would be in training. The former spinner has backed Samson despite his recent poor form, arguing that a player who helped India win the World Cup deserves a longer rope.

"I sometimes thought that I should have played in this era. When I went for the Test tour, a lot of people on social media said Ashwin has to play, how can you drop him? But I still didn't play in the team. If I was out, they kept me out because the team management knows what is needed for the team. You are saying that you can pick teams by succumbing to social media pressure?" Ashwin said.

If the outside pressure is disturbing the team management, then think about the players: Ashwin

The former Indian off-spinner also warned that the constant selection changes could damage the team's morale.

"There have been times where I could have played, but there have been times where it was a 50-50 decision, and there were times where it was the right decision. I came to England with very good form, but the coach and captain spoke to me, and then I felt maybe they were doing it for the combination they wanted. It is the team's decision. The team management is like a temple. If the outside noise is allowed to enter the team, whose fault is it? How can the outside pressure disturb the team? If the outside pressure is disturbing the team management, then think about the players," Ashwin added.

Most concerning for Ashwin is India's lack of consistency in team composition. He highlighted the frequent changes in personnel, especially at the top of the order.

"The point is, when you are winning, there is no challenge; the team and the players will perform automatically. But when the team loses, I'm looking at it from this perspective. From the first match against Ireland to the last game, how many games have we played with the same XI? There have been changes in every game. Sanju Samson out, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi out, Sanju Samson in," Ashwin remarked.

India now turn their attention to Zimbabwe, where they begin a three-match T20I series at the Harare Sports Club, scheduled to be held from July 23 to 26. Vaibhav Suryavanshi is retained for the Zimbabwe squad while Sanju Samson has been dropped, extending the saga of their fluctuating fortunes.