​Sanju Samson’s omission has sparked a debate, but Sanjay Manjrekar has offered a measured stance that focuses on fitness as the decisive factor. In his view, the only valid reason to drop Samson from the Indian team would be concerns about his physical conditioning. He argues that Samson’s recent batting form should not be cited as a reason to omit him, as long as fitness standards are being met. If fitness is indeed the issue, Manjrekar believes the selectors are justified in making the call, and he stresses that this should be seen as a fair decision rather than a punitive one.
Crucially, Manjrekar provides a clear pathway for Samson to reclaim his place. He points to Virat Kohli as the ultimate benchmark for fitness and longevity in modern cricket, urging Samson to adopt Kohli’s elite level of conditioning as a role model. By aligning with Kohli’s standards, Samson would not only improve his own performance but also demonstrate the discipline that selectors and coaches value highly in a modern, high-performance environment. Manjrekar’s recommendation is simple: prioritize peak physical condition, and the doors to international cricket will remain open for him.
Manjrekar articulated his stance in a post on X, emphasizing that, in his view, fitness is the sole valid reason for Samson’s drop, and that the decision becomes fair if fitness is indeed the factor at play. He distinguished this from Samson’s batting prowess, which remains indisputable. According to him, Samson must elevate his physical conditioning; otherwise, it will be hard to justify continued selection at the highest level. The former cricketer also stressed that Samson should keep Virat Kohli as a role model, both in attitude and preparation, given Kohli’s enduring commitment to fitness and excellence.
This fitness-centric perspective aligns with the broader rotation theory that has circulated around the decision. Several reports have indicated that the squad was rotated to manage workloads and to provide Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, a young wicketkeeper, with an extended run. India head coach Gautam Gambhir publicly acknowledged that he spoke in detail with Samson about the decision, reinforcing the idea that the omission was not a sudden indictment of Samson’s abilities but a strategic move within a broader squad management plan. The wicketkeeper remains in the mix for other formats and competitions, including the Asian Games squad, suggesting that his international career is not over.
Manjrekar’s fitness-based argument stands on solid ground. If Kohli’s relentless focus on conditioning has proven crucial to sustaining elite performance into the later stages of a career, then aspiring players would do well to study that model. Samson can take concrete steps to close the gap: commit to a disciplined training regimen, prioritize endurance and strength conditioning, and maintain peak physical readiness across formats. By doing so, he would not only enhance his chances of recall but also set a standard for his peers.
There is a certain irony in the timing of Manjrekar’s call, given the ongoing debates about selection philosophy and the balance between form, rotation, and potential. Nevertheless, his insistence on fitness as the governing criterion offers a clear, actionable route for Samson. If the goal is to ensure long-term competitiveness and to maximize each player’s contribution to India’s success, then the virility of Kohli’s fitness ethos remains an instructive blueprint. The next steps for Samson involve translating that blueprint into daily practice, maintaining consistency, and letting his performance—both in training and on the field—speak for itself. As discussions continue, the emphasis on fitness as a defining factor in selection decisions remains a salient point of reference for players and coaches alike.