Sanju Samson was left out of India’s T20I squad for the Zimbabwe tour, triggering strong reactions from fans on social media. Here’s why the wicketkeeper-batter missed out and the full squad announced by the BCCI.
India's Sanju Samson (PC: IANS)
The announcement of India’s T20I squad for the upcoming Zimbabwe tour came with one major talking point, the omission of former T20 World Cup Player of the Tournament Sanju Samson.
While most of the frontline batters currently featuring in the ongoing T20I series against England retained their places, Samson’s absence immediately sparked debate among fans. The BCCI did not provide a reason for leaving out the wicketkeeper-batter, who was one of six players currently in England to miss out on selection.
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His place in the squad has gone to wicketkeeper-batter Prabhsimran Singh, who impressed with Punjab Kings in IPL 2026 and was also part of India’s gold medal-winning squad at the 2023 Asian Games.
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The decision triggered a wave of reactions on social media, with many fans questioning why the 31-year-old had been dropped so soon after playing a key role in India’s T20 World Cup triumph.
“What the f**k??? You guys dropped Sanju Samson???”
What the fvckk??? You guys dropped Sanju Samson??? pic.twitter.com/ATyRRPg0Tj
— Kusha Sharma (@Kushacritic) July 6, 2026
Another fan wrote:
“@BCCI India won the T20 World Cup because of him. He was the Player of the Series, yet after just three low-scoring matches, he’s dropped from the team. It feels like the only reason behind this is that he’s a South Indian player. Shame on the BCCI. Always with Sanju. ❤️💯”
@BCCI India won the T20 World Cup because of him. He was the Player of the Series, yet after just three low-scoring matches, he’s dropped from the team.
It feels like the only reason behind this is that he’s a South Indian player.
Shame on the BCCI.
Always with Sanju. ❤️💯 pic.twitter.com/7seBqDaDIc
— syam murali (@syammurali12) July 6, 2026
Others were equally surprised.
“What the hell is wrong with you!!!!!” Why is Sanju Samson not included in the team? ” one fan wrote.
What the hell is wrong with you!!!!!
Why Sanju Samson not included in the team? pic.twitter.com/olwgM4VyyB
— Yuvraj Singh Fans (@Yuvifansclub) July 6, 2026
One user pointed to the changing fortunes of India’s recent World Cup heroes.
“In March: Suryakumar Yadav was T20 World Cup winning Captain & Sanju Samson was the Player of the Tournament. In July: Both Suryakumar Yadav & Sanju Samson are not part of Indian T20I.”
In March:
Suryakumar Yadav was T20 World Cup winning Captain & Sanju Samson was the Player of the Tournament.
In July:
Both Suryakumar Yadav & Sanju Samson are not part of Indian T20I. pic.twitter.com/6dthnJcNLH
— Rakesh Sharma (@iamrkRakesh) July 6, 2026
Another post read:
“The only reason for the 3rd star on the Jersey! #Neverforget #SanjuSamson”
The only reason for the 3rd star ⭐ on the Jersey!#Neverforget #SanjuSamson pic.twitter.com/82bFXql5DU
— Emerson Jose (@emerson_thattil) July 6, 2026
While another fan questioned the selectors directly:
“Like seriously how on the earth can you drop Sanju the player who won you a damn WC?”
Like seriously how on the earth can you drop Sanju the player who won you a damn WC?
— Prathisha.P (@prathi_17_18) July 6, 2026
Samson’s omission comes after a difficult start to the current T20I season.
The Kerala batter was replaced by 15-year-old sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for the second T20I against England in Manchester, making the teenager India’s youngest-ever international cricketer, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar’s long-standing record.
Samson also endured three consecutive low scores, twice against Ireland and once in the opening T20I against England in Durham, weakening his case for retention.
Despite those recent failures, the right-hander was instrumental in India’s T20 World Cup 2026 triumph, earning the Player of the Tournament award with several match-winning performances during the knockout stages. He also enjoyed a productive IPL 2026 campaign, scoring two centuries.
However, the emergence of Sooryavanshi and the selectors’ apparent desire to give the teenage prodigy an extended run may have influenced the decision to leave Samson out of the Shreyas Iyer-led squad.
Samson was not the only player to miss out.
Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Washington Sundar and Ravi Bishnoi were also omitted from the squad.
Among them, Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna and Washington Sundar are part of India’s ODI squad for the upcoming England series, explaining their absence from the Zimbabwe tour.
Meanwhile, lower-order batter Rinku Singh and express pacer Mayank Yadav returned to the T20I setup.
India will play three T20Is against Zimbabwe in Harare on July 23, 25 and 27.
Shreyas Iyer (Captain), Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma (Vice-Captain), Ishan Kishan (WK), Shivam Dube, Suryansh Shedge, Rinku Singh, Harsh Dubey, Varun Chakravarthy, Prince Yadav, Yash Thakur, Ashok Sharma, Mayank Yadav, Prabhsimran Singh (WK).
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