BCCI Source Reveals Sanju Samson Omission
However, a senior BCCI insider has defended the decision by claiming that the wicketkeeper-batter was rested rather than dismissed.
Sanju Samson’s removal from India’s squad for the upcoming three-match Twenty20 International series against Zimbabwe is a topic of debate among cricket fans and former players.
Punjab Kings wicketkeeper-batter Prabhsimran Singh was called up to replace Samson in the BCCI’s 15-man squad for the Zimbabwe trip, which begins on July 23, following an exceptional IPL 2026 season.
In the second Twenty20 International against England, 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi made his debut for India at Manchester, but Sanju Samson was left out of the starting squad.
The Kerala batsman struggled in his most recent games, scoring just six runs in three innings against Ireland and England. According to sources, the selectors’ decision to give younger players an opportunity during the short bilateral series and workload management are the reasons for his absence from the Zimbabwe squad.
According to a senior BCCI source, Sanju Samson is still in India’s plans and is expected to compete in the Asian Games later this year.
Despite his recent downturn, Sanju Samson had an amazing T20 World Cup 2026 campaign. The right-handed hitter was essential to India’s title campaign, scoring 321 runs in five innings with an average of 80.25 and a strike rate of 199.37.
He won Player of the Tournament for his outstanding accomplishments in addition to having a successful IPL 2026 season with two hundreds.
However, the growth of juvenile opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi appears to have motivated the management to give the young player a longer term in the T20I lineup.
Other than Samson, the Zimbabwean team had other noteworthy absences. Fast bowlers Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, and Arshdeep Singh were also left out, along with Washington Sundar and Ravi Bishnoi.
