Key facts
- Sanju Samson dropped from India squad
- Ashok Sharma, Yash Thakur, Prabhsimran Singh get maiden call-ups
- Tour destination: Zimbabwe
- VVS Laxman to oversee Zimbabwe tour and Asian Games campaign
India's selectors have made sweeping changes to the squad for the Zimbabwe tour, dropping wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson while handing maiden call-ups to Ashok Sharma, Yash Thakur, and Prabhsimran Singh — three players who will make their first appearances in the national setup if they feature.
Samson's omission is notable given his recent performances in Indian cricket, and his exclusion suggests the selectors are looking to experiment and blood new talent ahead of a busy international calendar. Prabhsimran Singh, the explosive Punjab opener, has long been touted as a future India player, and his inclusion alongside Ashok Sharma and Yash Thakur marks a decisive moment for all three.
VVS Laxman will oversee both the Zimbabwe tour and India's Asian Games campaign, stepping in as the senior administrator guiding the team through this transitional phase. Laxman's involvement underscores the importance the BCCI places on these assignments despite their relatively lower profile.
The squad reshuffle comes in the immediate aftermath of India's record T20I defeat to England, adding further urgency to questions around selection philosophy and the team's direction under the current management.