table of contents
India’s T20I team selection has landed in fresh controversy as S Badrinath has raised serious questions over the treatment meted out to some players. With India already struggling in the ongoing five-match T20 series against England, Badrinath made a scathing attack on Gautam Gambhir over the treatment of Sanju Samson.
The former Indian batsman has highlighted the different treatment given to Sanju Samson and Tilak Verma. Badrinath believes that the selection policy is not the same for both the players, and has openly questioned why Tilak keeps getting chances while Samson is out after three failures.
Sanju Samson out, Tilak Verma supported?
Sanju Samson’s omission has taken many fans and former cricketers by surprise. The Kerala wicketkeeper was one of India’s biggest stars during the 2026 T20 World Cup, where he was named Player of the Tournament. But after the World Cup, things are not going well for this star wicketkeeper.
The right-handed batsman struggled to score runs on the Ireland tour and his poor form continued in the ongoing five-match T20 series in England.
Following his poor performance, Samson first lost his place in India’s playing eleven and was then dropped from the T20 squad for the upcoming Zimbabwe tour.
At the same time, despite struggling with the bat, Tilak Verma has been getting the support of the Indian selectors and head coach Gautam Gambhir. Amid India’s struggles, AB de Villiers urges patience under Shreyas Iyer’s captaincy, denies Rajat Patidar talks.
S Badrinath accused India of adopting double standards regarding Tilak Verma and Sanju Samson.
Criticizing the double standards, S Badrinath pointed out that Tilak has found it very difficult to score runs against spin bowling in T20Is this year. The cricket pundit further said that the left-handed batsman’s numbers against spin have been poor, but he still continues to get regular chances in the Indian team.
He even accused the team management of trying to protect Tilak by using him in a finishing role where he would not face much spin, but this plan also did not work in the third T20I against England.
S Badrinath questioned that if Samson can lose his place after just three bad scores, then why is Tilak getting chances again and again despite struggling for a long time? He stressed that the same standards should be applied to every player in the team.
S Badrinath said on his YouTube channel: “Tilak Verma has been poor against spin in T20Is this year. He averages under 23 and strikes at just 91. But he remains on the edge, which makes me want to ask, ‘Are there double standards in the Indian team?’ Samson is dropped after very few failures, but Tilak continues to be selected despite his struggle against spin.
S Badrinath questions why Vaibhav Suryavanshi replaced Sanju Samson
He also questioned India’s decision to drop Samson and bring young Vaibhav Suryavanshi into the team. Although Badrinath praised Vaibhav as a special young talent with a bright future, he feels it is still a shocking and harsh decision for the wicketkeeper-batsman.
Badrinath said, “Although Vaibhav Suryavanshi is an incredible talent, whether he should have played at the expense of Sanju Samson or not is a matter of extreme debate. Even Samson not playing in the 11 and giving him a break is acceptable. But dropping him from the team is harsh and shocking in itself.”
