India head coach Gautam Gambhir has responded to the growing criticism around sanju samsonExcluded from the national T20I setup, insisting that the wicketkeeper-batsman remains part of the team’s long-term plans despite missing recent matches. The debate over Samson’s ouster gained new momentum after India’s humiliating 125-run defeat. England Questions were raised over the team’s selection strategy and batting combination in the third T20I at Trent Bridge.
Samson, who played a key role in India’s successful T20 World Cup title defense and was named Player of the Tournament, was dropped after the opening game of the England series. He missed both the second and third T20Is and was also dropped from India’s squad for the upcoming zimbabwe The tour sparked widespread discussion among fans and former cricketers.
Gautam Gambhir spoke openly on Sanju Samson being dropped from T20.
Addressing the media after India’s crushing defeat, Gambhir revealed that he had personally spoken to Samson about his position in the team. However, the Indian coach made it clear that the contents of their discussion would remain confidential. According to Gambhir, Samson has already got the clarity he needed regarding his role and this conversation is purely between a player and the head coach. He stressed that such internal discussions would not be made public.
“The first thing is that the clarity that Sanju Samson needed has been given to him from my side. This is purely a conversation between the player and the head coach. This conversation is not going to come out.” Gambhir said in the press conference.
The former India opener also dismissed suggestions that Samson has been permanently dropped from the team. Gambhir acknowledged the Kerala batsman’s outstanding contribution to Indian cricket and reiterated that recent selections were based primarily on current form rather than reputation. He explained that international cricket is highly competitive and there is no fixed rule preventing a player from returning to the team. The head coach hinted that strong performances could soon bring Samson back into contention during the current series or in future assignments.
“With regard to Sanju, we are very clear that what he has done for India is phenomenal and sometimes you just have to look at the form of a certain player. There is no hard and fast rule that he cannot make a comeback in this series,” added Gambhir.
Merit remains the basis of India’s selection policy
Gambhir defended the team’s selection philosophy, saying that every player should earn the opportunity to represent India consistently. He stressed that the responsibility of the coaching staff is to field the strongest playing eleven capable of delivering victory. According to him, results at the international level are the highest standard and selection is done by giving top priority to the success of the team. He said that every cricketer, regardless of past achievements, must consistently prove worthy of a place in the national team.
“International cricket is about results, so whatever we feel is the best combination to give a result, we play with that combination and that playing XI. I have always been a big believer that everyone needs to earn their place and the right to play for India,” Gambhir further said.
Remarkably, India’s defeat in Trent Bridge This is their biggest defeat so far in terms of runs in T20 Internationals. Chasing the target of 202 runs, the visitors were all out for 76 runs in just 11.4 overs and England won by 125 runs.
Also read: Fans criticize India as England beat visitors by record margin in third T20I
