Key facts
- Sanju Samson dropped from India's T20I squad
- Sanjay Manjrekar publicly criticised the selection decision
- Samson omitted during active T20 series against England
- Selection has reignited debate over India's T20 squad management
Sanju Samson has been dropped from India's T20 international squad, a decision that has immediately stirred controversy in cricket circles. The Kerala wicketkeeper-batter, who has experienced a turbulent international career marked by intermittent opportunities, finds himself on the outside again — this time during an active series against England.
Former India batsman and commentator Sanjay Manjrekar did not mince words, publicly asking 'Sanju Samson dropped, are you kidding me?' — a reaction that captured the mood of a significant section of the Indian cricket fanbase. Manjrekar's outspoken criticism carries weight given his experience as a selector-era observer and analyst of Indian cricket for decades.
Samson has long been one of Indian cricket's most debated selection cases. His ability to score quickly and his wicketkeeping credentials have made him a fan favourite, but his tenure in the national setup has been marked by long absences and seemingly arbitrary omissions. Each time he has been recalled, performances have often justified his inclusion — making each fresh dropping harder to explain publicly.
The selectors have yet to officially explain the reasoning behind the decision. With India currently in a T20 series and the team looking for consistency, the absence of a proven finisher like Samson will be closely scrutinised, and pressure on the selection committee is likely to mount if results continue to disappoint.