Gautam Gambhir Breaks Silence on Sanju Samson’s Shock Exclusion: ‘He Knows Exactly Where He Stands…’

New Delhi: India head coach Gautam Gambhir has finally addressed the growing debate surrounding Sanju Samson’s unexpected omission from the playing XI in the ongoing T20I series against England, stating that the wicketkeeper-batter has already been given complete clarity regarding the decision.

The omission came as a surprise to many cricket fans, especially considering Samson’s remarkable contribution to India’s victorious ICC T20 World Cup 2026 campaign, where he emerged as the Player of the Tournament. However, a disappointing run of form in the current England series forced the team management to rethink its combination.

Samson managed only six runs in three innings, including a duck, before India decided to hand a memorable T20I debut to 15-year-old batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Since the youngster is primarily an opening batter, the selectors faced a difficult choice between Samson and Abhishek Sharma. Based on recent performances, Samson was the player asked to sit out.

Following India’s defeat to England in the second T20I, Gambhir revealed that he had personally spoken to Samson before making the decision public.

While refusing to disclose the details of their private discussion, the India coach emphasized that transparency with players remains a priority.

According to Gambhir, Samson understands the team’s thinking, and there is no confusion about his current role. He also praised the Kerala batter for his outstanding contribution during India’s World Cup triumph, acknowledging that his performances played a major role in bringing the trophy home.

At the same time, Gambhir stressed that current form remains the biggest criterion in team selection. He explained that every decision is made with the sole objective of fielding the strongest possible combination capable of winning matches.

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Despite the exclusion, Gambhir dismissed suggestions that Samson’s T20I career is under threat. He made it clear that the wicketkeeper-batter remains very much in contention and could return to the playing XI during the remainder of the five-match series.

The head coach reiterated that no player is permanently guaranteed a place in the side and that opportunities are earned through performances. Team combinations, he said, continue to evolve depending on conditions, opposition and recent form.

India currently trail the series 0-2 after suffering consecutive defeats against England. The team’s recent record has also become a concern, with India losing four of their last five completed T20Is, while another match ended without a result due to rain.

Reflecting on the team’s struggles, Gambhir admitted that India have not adapted well enough to the playing conditions in both Ireland and England. He believes better adjustment to local conditions could have produced different outcomes and expects the squad to respond strongly in the remaining matches.

With the series still alive, the focus now shifts to India’s ability to stage a comeback. At the same time, all eyes will remain on whether Sanju Samson earns another opportunity to prove himself as the team searches for its best winning combination.