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Sanju Samson's omission from India's squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe has shocked the entire cricket community. After several former cricketers shared their views on the selection shocker, veteran Indian batter Ajinkya Rahane has now reacted to the surprising decision and extended his support to Sanju Samson.
Samson played a key role in India’s 2026 ICC T20 World Cup-winning campaign earlier this year, but he has now lost the selectors’ trust. After three poor innings in Ireland and England, the wicketkeeper-batter was dropped from India's playing XI during the ongoing T20I series against England. Amid this, Aakash Chopra questions Sanju Samson's Zimbabwe T20Is snub amid Vaibhav Sooryavanshi push.
Ajinkya Rahane surprised by Sanju Samson's omission
Ajinkya Rahane admitted that he was surprised by Sanju Samson’s exclusion from India’s squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series in Zimbabwe. The experienced batter believes that it is difficult to understand how a player who played such an important role in India's recent T20 World Cup 2026 triumph has been left out of the T20I side after a couple of failures.
The former Test vice-captain also expressed hope that the national selection committee had properly communicated the decision to Samson before announcing the squad. Rahane felt that players deserve clarity, especially after contributing significantly to the team's success.
Ajinkya Rahane wrote on his Instagram Story: “Hope there has been some communication with @imsanjusamson. Find it odd that the hero of our recent T20 WC win has been left out of the T20 squad to Zimbabwe. Hope to see him back in the team soon.”
Samson's recent form worked against him
Although Samson played a key role in India's T20 World Cup success and finished the tournament as the Player of the Tournament, he failed to continue the momentum. The Kerala batter struggled during the white-ball tour of Ireland and England, scoring only six runs across three T20Is. Amid this, Robin Uthappa raises concerns over Sanju Samson's handling by BCCI.
Those poor outings eventually cost him his place in the playing XI, with teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi getting an opportunity in the second T20I against England in Manchester. For the Zimbabwe tour, the selectors picked Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Prabhsimran Singh as another wicketkeeper-batter.
The three-match T20I series between India and Zimbabwe will begin on July 23 in Harare. The second match will be played on July 25, followed by the final T20I on July 26, with all three games scheduled in Harare. Shreyas Iyer will lead the Indian team, while Tilak Varma has been named vice-captain.
Sanju Samson not dropped but rested!
However, the Indian Express report revealed that the selectors have rested Samson instead of dropping him. The selection committee wanted to reward Prabhsimran Singh for his outstanding IPL 2026 season with Punjab Kings and use the Zimbabwe tour to test fresh talent.
Samson's recent poor run also worked against him. On the other hand, players like Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Washington Sundar, and Harshit Rana have also been rested due to the ODI series in England. The selectors are reportedly focused on building a bigger pool of young players, especially fast bowlers, for future international tournaments.
