India cricket team head coach Gautam Gambhir isn’t a happy man after Sanju Samson was left out of the squad for the upcoming series against Zimbabwe. The Keralam wicketkeeper-batter, who was dropped for three T20Is against ENG only to return for the 5th match, hasn’t been named in the 15-member squad. Instead, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Prabhsimran Singh have been named as openers. A report has now claimed that Gambhir is unhappy with the decision.
Gambhir, selectors not on same page over Samson?
As per Dainik Jagaran, Gautam Gambhir and the selectors aren’t on the same page when it comes to leaving Samson out of the side for the T20Is against Zimbabwe. Sanju emerged as the Player of the Tournament in the T20 World Cup 2026, playing crucial knocks in the knockout stage that powered India to their 3rd title. After a 477-run IPL 2026 season, the keeper-batter fared poorly in the T20Is against IRE and the 1st T20I against England, following which he was dropped.
However, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi – who replaced him in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th T20I – managed to register scores of 14, 13 and 15. This forced the team management to bring Samson back into the playing XI for the 5th T20I – a move that captain Shreyas Iyer justified citing the need to maintain the left-right combination. Gambhir had also addressed the issue after the ENG vs IND 3rd T20I, claiming that he had provided clarity to the star, while noting that he was dropped due to form.
Amid the furore over Sanju’s exclusion from the squad for the ZIM series, a BCCI source had claimed that it was done so that youngsters could be given opportunities, while adding that Samson was a part of the Asian Games squad.
No conflict between Gambhir, Agarkar
Rubbishing claims made by Dinesh Karthik of an alleged conflict between Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar, the Dainik Jagaran report claimed that all was well between the two. The report cited sources close to the duo claiming that the two speak to each other at least twice a day, adding that they were disappointed with some selectors.
“It is sure that the two (Gambhir and Agarkar) are angry with two selectors for being active more than required. The two selectors are keen on impressing the top brass that it is due to them that the team is in good form. However, after losing 6 out of the last 7 matches, they are shying away from taking the responsibility,” the report states.
“
Cricket
Sanju Samson snubbed against Gautam Gambhir's wishes, no rift between head coach, Agarkar
