Ravichandran Ashwin criticized the Indian team management’s decision to drop wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson from the second T20 match against England. Ashwin questioned the exclusion of the T20 World Cup hero, saying such quick selection changes create an unhealthy atmosphere in the dressing room.
Kishore Vaibhav Suryavanshi replaced Samson In the playing eleven for the 2nd T20I at Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester on Saturday, July 4. The debutant scored 14 runs in 10 balls and India scored 190/7. However, Harry Brook’s England chased down the target with four wickets and an over to spare.
World Cup winners deserve a long rope – Ravichandran Ashwin questions Sanju Samson’s ouster
Ravichandran Ashwin questioned the decision to drop Sanju Samson despite a match-winning performance in the 2026 T20 World Cup. He said that players who help India win the World Cup deserve long-term and clear communication from the team management.
Ashwin said, “You have two or three series ahead of you. Whoever performs well will remain in the team. If you win us the World Cup, I will give you a long race. When Suryakumar Yadav was dropped from the team, I had said the same thing. It was right to remove him from the captaincy, but perhaps it was not right to drop him from the team. I would have given clarity: Perform in these series and you will keep your place. If you perform, no one can drop you.”
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 became the leading run-scorer of the tournament with 321 runs in five innings at an average of 80.25 and a strike rate of 199.37, including crucial innings in the semi-finals and final.
Everyone knows it wasn’t fair to Sanju Samson – Ravichandran Ashwin
Ravichandran Ashwin said that Samson’s exclusion may affect his confidence. He pointed out that India now have three left-handed players at the top and suggested that the team management may eventually bring back Samson to restore balance.
“At the moment, I am worried because Sanju Samson has been dropped very early. What might Sanju be thinking now? How will he practice in the nets? At the moment, India have three left-handed batsmen in a row – Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Ishan Kishan. I think they may also look at Sanju at No. 3 to compensate because everyone in the coaching staff, including Gautam Gambhir, knows that it was not fair for Sanju.”
Samson’s mistake gave 15-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi a chance to make his international debut in Manchester. Kishore scored 14 runs in 10 balls and hit two sixes before getting out.
Every player will start thinking, ‘I am next’ – Ravichandran Ashwin warns Team India
Ravichandran Ashwin warned that frequent changes could spoil the atmosphere in the dressing room. He said that players need to believe that good performance will get them a rightful place in the team.
“It is not good for the team. If Sanju is dropped today and Surya is dropped tomorrow, every player will start thinking, ‘I am next.’ It’s not a healthy environment for any team.”
Samson lost his place after figures of 5 and 0 against Ireland and 1 in the opening T20I against England. Ahead of the series, he had enjoyed a brilliant 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.
