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Sanju Samson's exclusion from India's squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe has sparked a fresh controversy. Hours after the squad announcement, a new report revealed who was actually behind the big decision.
Many believed that Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir could have played a key role in dropping Samson from the T20I side, but the latest claims suggest a different story. Amid this, Gautam Gambhir unhappy with Sanju Samson's Zimbabwe snub.
Sanju Samson's Zimbabwe snub sparks fresh selection controversy
The Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee announced the squad for the Zimbabwe tour on July 6, but they did not clarify whether Sanju Samson had been rested or dropped.
His omission sparked massive debate because it came only a few days after he was left out of India's playing XI for the second T20I against England to make way for the teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
Samson came into the UK tour with high expectations after playing a huge role in India's ICC T20 World Cup-winning campaign earlier this year, where he was named the Player of the Tournament. But after that the Kerala batter struggled badly with the bat, scoring only six runs across three T20Is played in Ireland and England.
Sanju Samson's poor form opens the door for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi; selectors back new faces
The Indian wicketkeeper-batter’s poor form increased the pressure on his place in the side, especially with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi waiting for an opportunity. The team management eventually made the bold decision to drop Samson from the playing XI in Manchester and handed Vaibhav his India debut.
Many expected Samson to be named in the squad for the Zimbabwe series, but the selectors decided to move in a different direction. The Indian selection committee has not only picked Vaibhav Sooryavanshi but also included Punjab Kings wicketkeeper-batter Prabhsimran Singh as the second wicketkeeper in the squad for the upcoming T20I series against Zimbabwe.
Even the national selectors retained the rest of the top-order group, including Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, and vice-captain Tilak Varma, while Shreyas Iyer will lead the side.
Sanju Samson dropped by Ajit Agarkar, not Gautam Gambhir?
Now, a report by Dainik Jagran journalist Abhishek Tripathi has added a fresh twist to the entire episode. He revealed that the decision to leave Sanju Samson out was taken entirely by Ajit Agarkar and the selection committee, and Gautam Gambhir has no role in the call.
The journalist further claimed that Gambhir currently has very little influence over both team selection and playing XI decisions. He suggested that Agarkar and the selectors are making most of the important calls, leaving the head coach with limited involvement.
He also hinted that the decision to hand Vaibhav Sooryavanshi his maiden India cap in Manchester was mainly taken by the selectors, not Gambhir.
Abhishek Tripathi said that the decision to drop Sanju Samson was made by Ajit Agarkar and the selection panel Gautam Gambhir had no role in it pic.twitter.com/Z5eBxIFeXw
— Bemba Tavuma X 🐐 (@gaandfaadtits) July 6, 2026
Notably, Gujarat Titans (GT) pacers Ashok Sharma and Mayank Yadav were handed maiden call-ups to the T20I squad for Zimbabwe's tour later this month.
