![Sanju Samson backed by India great [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1783421811579_Sanju_Samson.jpg?type=hq)
Sanju Samson backed by India great [Source: AFP]
Sanju Samson has been ‘rested’ from India squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series in Zimbabwe. The blistering opener was also dropped from the Indian playing XI against England in Manchester a few days ago in favour of rising star Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
It is worth noting that long ago, Samson masterminded India’s historic 2026 T20 World Cup win and also enjoyed a prolific IPL 2026 season for the Rajasthan Royals franchise. His sudden exclusion from the national line-up has now been questioned by CSK’s former IPL winner and legendary Indian batter Ajinkya Rahane.
Ajinkya Rahane backs T20 World Cup hero Sanju Samson after ZIM snub
Ajinkya Rahane has backed T20 World Cup 2026 hero Sanju Samson after the latter was excluded from Team India squad for the upcoming T20I tour of Zimbabwe.
Taking to his Instagram story on Tuesday, July 7, the Indian Test specialist and IPL great indirectly questioned the BCCI selection committee. Rahane also added that he is hoping to see Samson back in the squad at some stage again.
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He wrote “Hope there has been some communication with @imsanjusamson. Find it odd that the hero of our recent T20 WC win has been left out of the T20 squad to Zimbabwe. Hope to see him back in the team soon.”
Sanju Samson to return for Asian Games 2026 in Japan
Compatible to Ajinkya Rahane’s claims, Sanju Samson will indeed be seen again in Team India squad just a month-and-a-half after the T20I series in Zimbabwe. Last month, the BCCI named a strong 15-member Indian squad for the upcoming Asian Games 2026 in Japan.
Both Samson and his replacement Vaibhav Sooryavanshi are listed in the squad, where Shreyas Iyer and Tilak Varma will continue to serve as team’s captain and vice-captain despite their recent shambolic 0-2 loss in Ireland.
BCCI name India squad for ZIM tour, Samson and Arshdeep Singh rested
Samson was not the only notable exclusion from Team India squad for the upcoming T20I tour of Zimbabwe. The BCCI also rested fellow two-time T20 World Cup winning cricketers Arshdeep Singh and Axar Patel, as well as Harshit Rana and all-rounder Washington Sundar.
The men’s selection committee named Punjab Kings star Prabhsimran Singh as the third specialist opener in the group in place of Samson. Apart from Prabhsimran, fellow domestic talents like Yash Thakur and Ashok Sharma also received their maiden international call-ups. Here is look at the entire India squad for the upcoming three-match T20I tour of Zimbabwe.
India squad for Zimbabwe T20I series: Shreyas Iyer (c), Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma (vc), Ishan Kishan (wk), Shivam Dube, Suryansh Shedge, Rinku Singh, Harsh Dubey, Varun Chakaravarathy, Prince Yadav, Yash Thakur, Ashok Sharma, Mayank Yadav and Prabhsimran Singh (wk).
Sanju Samson in the middle of a lean patch after generational run
After enjoying a generational run at the 2026 T20 World Cup and in the IPL 2026 season, Sanju Samson has suffered a sudden dip in form in India’s ongoing European tour. In his three T20I appearances so far, the cricketer has listed just six runs at a dismal average of two.
His underwhelming returns prompted the team management to hand Vaibhav Sooryavanshi his debut cap.
As of now, it remains to be seen if Samson manages to find a place in the Indian playing XI for the remaining three T20Is of the series.
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.jpg?type=mq "Players BCCI Ignored From India squad for ZIM T20Is")
