Former India opener slams selector Ajit Agarkar’s decision to omit Sanju Samson from Zimbabwe T20I series

Sanju Samson’s exclusion from India’s squad for the upcoming three‑match T20I series against Zimbabwe has reignited debate, with former India opener Sadagoppan Ramesh delivering a sharp critique of chief selector Ajit Agarkar and the selection panel.

Samson was previously omitted from the playing XI in the second T20I against England, where Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was preferred. He has now also been left out of the Zimbabwe series, with Prabhsimran Singh selected in his stead.

Reacting to the decision, Ramesh contended that the selectors had treated unfairly a player who was pivotal to India’s successful T20 World Cup campaign. He suggested that Agarkar’s continued tenure as chief selector stemmed directly from that World Cup victory, in which Samson played a decisive role.

“Agarkar, who dropped Samson, is in an extension period himself. His contract was due to end in June, but the T20 World Cup triumph helped extend his time. It was Sanju who played a major role behind that victory. So Sanju Samson is the reason Agarkar remains a selector in this extended period now. Dropping him three matches after he was Player of the Tournament in a World Cup is extremely harsh treatment,” Ramesh said in a YouTube video.

“In the semi‑final and final, he had the chance to complete his century. Yet, without thinking selfishly for personal milestones, he played for the team and got out. Such team‑players deserve to be the first ones backed,” Ramesh added.

“How can a tournament‑winning player be dropped after three failures? In two of those innings the whole team faltered in Ireland. It seems those responsible for those three matches overlooked his previous three innings that secured India the World Cup,” he continued.

Samson enjoyed a standout T20 World Cup campaign before India’s tour of the United Kingdom, delivering match‑winning knocks of 97* against the West Indies in the virtual quarter‑final, 89 in the semi‑final versus England, and another 89 in the final against New Zealand. His performances earned him the Player of the Tournament award as India retained the trophy. However, recent form—6 runs in 3 innings—has prompted his omission, leading to his replacement by Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.

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