​NEW DELHI: Former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has taken a sharp swipe at the national selectors for omitting Sanju Samson from India’s Twenty20 squad for the forthcoming Zimbabwe tour, labeling the move as “just unfair.” In a candid critique on his YouTube show Ash Ki Baat, Ashwin warned that constant team changes can create insecurity among players and destabilize India’s T20 setup. He expressed strong disagreement with the decision, saying he finds it hard to articulate a defense for it and that it “is what it is,” adding that he remains perplexed by the rationale.
Ashwin questioned the logic of dropping Samson after a run of poor scores and wondered who would be next if the team continued to suffer losses. He noted that Samson has been sidelined because of form, with the team already having suffered two defeats. If there’s another loss, who will be dropped next, he asked, arguing that such a pattern is unfair and that India’s cricketers should not be placed in an insecure position.
Samson’s omission has become a major talking point in Indian cricket. The 24-year-old wicketkeeper-batter, who was named Player of the Tournament at this year’s T20 World Cup, managed scores of 5, 0, and 1 in his last three innings against Ireland and in the opening T20I against England. He was replaced in the playing XI by 15-year-old batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and was subsequently left out of the squad bound for Zimbabwe.
Ashwin argued that such selections can drive players toward self-preservation rather than team success. He warned that in T20 cricket, this insular mindset is disastrous. “If batters start thinking they’ll be dropped if they don’t score, they’ll begin playing only to protect their place, which is extremely dangerous,” he said. He also contended that even if Samson gets another chance, the pressure to retain his spot could influence his approach at the crease. “Even now I’m saying, imagine Sanju gets another chance. He too will start thinking about himself. And you can’t even say that’s wrong,” Ashwin noted, expressing a hope that a solution is found.
Ashwin further argued that a strong domestic season should not automatically guarantee an India call-up, countering suggestions that players like Prabhsimran Singh deserved opportunities based on their performances. He pointed to domestic talents who could warrant inclusion, suggesting that the selectors should consider broader options for Zimbabwe. He cited examples from Indian domestic circuits, mentioning players such as Hunny Saini and BR Sharad as potential contenders who deserve chances in the international arena.
In reflecting on the broader implications, Ashwin emphasized the need for a balanced approach to selection—one that rewards consistent form without destabilizing the team’s core. He called for a strategy that preserves players’ confidence and ensures the team remains competitive on the global stage, particularly as India eyes future assignments in shortest format cricket. He concluded with a plea for the system to find a pathway that reconciles domestic excellence with national responsibility, hoping that Indian cricket can navigate the current tensions and emerge stronger.