Ravichandran Ashwin criticized the Indian team management's decision to drop wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson for the second T20I against England. Ashwin questioned the exclusion of the T20 World Cup hero, saying such quick selection changes create an unhealthy atmosphere within the dressing room.
Teenager Vaibhav Sooryavanshi replaced Samson in the playing XI for the second T20I at Emirates Old Trafford in Manchester on Saturday, July 4. The debutant scored 14 runs off 10 balls as India posted 190/7. However, Harry Brook's England chased down the target with four wickets and one over to spare.
Ravichandran Ashwin questioned the decision to drop Sanju Samson despite his match-winning performances in the 2026 T20 World Cup. He said that players who help India win a World Cup deserve a longer run and clear communication from the team management.
"You have two or three series ahead of you. Whoever performs well will stay in the team. If you've won us a World Cup, I would give you a longer rope. I said the same thing when Suryakumar Yadav was left out. Removing him as captain was fine, but maybe dropping him from the team wasn't. I would have given that clarity: perform in these series and you'll keep your place. If you perform, nobody can drop you," Ashwin said.
Samson was named Player of the Tournament in the 2026 T20 World Cup after playing a key role in India's title-winning campaign. He finished as the tournament's highest run scorer with 321 runs in five innings at an average of 80.25 and a strike rate of 199.37, including crucial knocks in the semifinal and final.
Everyone Knows This Wasn't Fair on Sanju Samson - Ravichandran Ashwin
Ravichandran Ashwin said Samson's omission could affect his confidence. He pointed out that India now have three left-handers at the top and suggested the team management could eventually bring Samson back to restore balance.
"Right now, I'm concerned because Sanju Samson has been dropped very quickly. What will Sanju be thinking now? How will he approach practice in the nets? At the moment, India have three left-handers in a row—Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Ishan Kishan. I think they might even look at Sanju at No. 3 as a way to compensate because everyone in the coaching staff, including Gautam Gambhir, knows this wasn't fair on Sanju."
Samson's omission gave 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi his international debut in Manchester. The teenager made 14 runs off 10 balls and hit two sixes before being dismissed.
Every Player Will Start Thinking, 'I'm Next' - Ravichandran Ashwin Warns Team India
Photo Credit: GoogleRavichandran Ashwin warned that frequent changes could hurt the dressing-room environment. He said that players need confidence that good performances will earn them a fair run in the team.
"This is not good for the team. If Sanju is dropped today and Surya is dropped tomorrow, every player will start thinking, 'I'm next.' That's not a healthy environment for any team."
Samson lost his place after scores of 5 and 0 against Ireland and 1 in the opening T20I against England. Before the series, he had enjoyed an excellent IPL 2026 season, scoring 477 runs in 14 matches at an average of 43.36 and a strike rate of 165.62, including two centuries.
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