Sanju Samson has been dropped from India's T20I squad for the upcoming five-match series against Zimbabwe, and a report has now revealed the reason behind his exclusion. According to sources close to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the wicketkeeper-batsman was left out due to a disciplinary issue.
Disciplinary issue led to exclusion
The report, published by a leading cricket website, claims that Samson's omission was not based on performance but on a breach of team discipline. The nature of the disciplinary issue has not been disclosed, but it is understood that the team management and selectors took a strict view of the matter. Samson, who was part of the squad for the recent T20I series against England, failed to make the cut for the Zimbabwe tour.
India's squad for Zimbabwe T20Is
The BCCI announced a 15-member squad for the Zimbabwe series, with Shubman Gill named captain. The squad includes several young players, such as Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Rinku Singh, while experienced players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma were rested. Samson's absence raised eyebrows, given his consistent performances in domestic cricket and the IPL.
Samson's recent form
Samson has been in good form in T20 cricket, scoring 385 runs in the 2024 IPL season for Rajasthan Royals at a strike rate of 141. He also played a crucial role in India's T20I series against England, where he scored 58 runs in two matches. Despite this, the selectors opted to go with other wicketkeeping options, including Jitesh Sharma and Dhruv Jurel.
BCCI's emphasis on discipline
The BCCI has been strict on discipline in recent times, with several players being warned or penalized for breaches. In 2023, fast bowler Navdeep Saini was dropped from a domestic tournament for a similar issue. The board's zero-tolerance policy towards indiscipline is seen as a message to all players, regardless of their stature.
Reactions from cricket fraternity
The decision has sparked debate among fans and experts. Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra said, "If discipline is the reason, it's a strong message from the selectors. But Samson must be given a chance to explain himself." Another former player, Parthiv Patel, added, "Samson has immense talent, but he needs to ensure he follows the protocols."
Impact on Samson's career
This is not the first time Samson has faced disciplinary issues. In 2021, he was fined for a breach of COVID-19 protocols during the IPL. With the T20 World Cup scheduled for 2024, this setback could affect his chances of making the squad. However, the BCCI has not closed the door on him, and a strong performance in domestic cricket could pave the way for his return.
Zimbabwe series details
The five-match T20I series against Zimbabwe will be played from July 10 to 18, with all matches scheduled in Harare. India will be looking to give game time to young players, with an eye on the future. The squad includes several uncapped players, such as Abhishek Sharma and Tushar Deshpande.
As per sources, the BCCI is likely to issue a statement on Samson's exclusion in the coming days. Until then, the cricketing world will wait to see how the situation unfolds.
