India head coach Gautam Gambhir has addressed the growing debate over Sanju Samson‘s absence from the T20I side, insisting the wicketkeeper-batter remains in the team’s plans despite being left out during the ongoing series against England. Samson’s omission has become one of the biggest talking points after India slumped to a record 125-run defeat against England in the third T20I at Trent Bridge on Tuesday. The wicketkeeper-batter, who was India’s Player of the Tournament during their successful T20 World Cup title defence, was dropped for the second T20I, did not feature in the third match and has also been left out of the squad for the Zimbabwe tour. Following India’s defeat, Gambhir revealed that he had already spoken to Samson about his role in the team, while making it clear that those discussions would remain private. “The first thing is that regarding the clarity Sanju Samson needed, he has been given that from my side. That’s a conversation strictly between the player and the head coach. That conversation is not going to come outside,” Gambhir said. The India coach stressed that Samson’s contributions had not been overlooked but said current form would continue to influence selection decisions. “Regarding Sanju, we are very clear what he has done for India has been phenomenal and sometimes you just have to look at the form of a certain player. There is no hard and fast rule that he cannot make a comeback in this series.” Gambhir also defended India’s selection policy, saying every player must continue to earn their place in the national side. “International cricket is about results, so whatever we feel is the best combination to give us that result, we play that combination and that playing XI. I’ve always been a big believer that everyone needs to earn their place and the right to play for India.” India’s defeat at Trent Bridge was their biggest ever by runs in T20 internationals. Chasing 202, the visitors were bowled out for just 76 in 11.4 overs after teenage opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi fell for 13. The collapse handed England a 125-run victory and a 2-0 lead in the five-match series after the opening match was washed out. The result also extended India’s struggles in the format, with the reigning T20 world champions now having lost their last four completed T20Is following a 2-0 series defeat in Ireland. Captain Shreyas Iyer described the batting display as “atrocious” and admitted the team needed to “completely go back to the drawing board” after the heavy defeat.
