India’s decision to leave out Sanju Samson for the second T20I against England has triggered fresh criticism, with former spinner Ravichandran Ashwin openly questioning both the call itself and the thinking behind it. Samson, who had opened in the first game, was replaced in Manchester by teenage batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, with India opting to reshuffle after the wicketkeeper-batter’s run of low scores.

 

The move drew attention not only because Samson had been part of India’s T20 World Cup-winning campaign earlier this year, but also because his exclusion came after just three single-digit scores. Sooryavanshi, one of the most talked-about young names in Indian cricket, made his international debut in the same game and scored 14 as India lost by four wickets.

 

Ashwin says Samson deserved a longer rope

 

Speaking on his YouTube show Ash Ki Baat, Ashwin said the speed with which Samson was dropped was difficult to understand, especially for a player who had delivered in recent months on the biggest stage. The former off-spinner said the call raised concerns over how quickly players are being judged despite having contributed significantly to the side’s recent success. Ashwin said,

 

“Right now, I’m concerned. I’m worried because Sanju Samson has been dropped from the team so quickly. What will Sanju be thinking now? How motivated will he be when he goes to practice in the nets?" 

 

Ashwin also pointed to a possible solution if India were determined to bring Sooryavanshi into the XI without completely sidelining Samson. With Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan and Sooryavanshi all being left-handers, he suggested Samson could be shifted to No. 3.

 

Read also: Ravi Bishnoi Set to Be Dropped? India Likely to Play Extra Pacer in Crucial 3rd T20I vs England

 

‘Outside noise’ becomes part of the conversation

 

Ashwin went further by questioning whether public hype around Sooryavanshi had indirectly shaped India’s selection call. He said team managements in the past had kept external noise away from decision-making, and warned against letting social media sentiment dictate cricketing choices. He said,

 

“At the moment, you already have three left-handers in the top order: Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Ishan Kishan. Now, they will consider Sanju for No. 3, I’m telling you. Everyone knows, including the coaching staff and Gautam Gambhir, that this hasn’t been fair to Sanju. So now they’ll have to manage the situation somehow."

 

Ash added,

 

“I’m concerned about one thing. Are social media narratives and all the outside noise finding their way into the team? Is that influencing the decision-making? I’ve been watching cricket for a long time and have seen many leaders in the Indian team. They never allowed outside noise to enter the dressing room, and that’s exactly how it should be."