Archive · 24 Sep 2026
Gambhir's Sleepless Selection: Sooryavanshi Replaced Samson in T20Is
Gautam Gambhir is India’s cricket coach.
He said one team-selection decision made him lose sleep.
He chose Vaibhav Sooryavanshi instead of Sanju Samson for part of a T20I series.
Samson had recently played very well and won a major tournament award.
Sooryavanshi was also in excellent form and was given his international debut.
After three low-scoring innings, Samson returned to the team.
Sooryavanshi then had to wait for another chance in later matches.
Gambhir said teams sometimes choose experienced players even when younger players are performing well.
Gautam Gambhir said dropping Sanju Samson was the only selection decision that kept him awake during his two-year coaching tenure.
Samson had been Player of the Tournament at the 2026 T20 World Cup before being left out during the England T20I series.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s strong IPL and Under-19 World Cup form influenced his selection over Samson.
Sooryavanshi made his historic debut against England but was later replaced by Samson after three low-scoring innings.
Gambhir said Sooryavanshi subsequently had to wait during the Afghanistan T20Is and a Japan match while established players were prioritized.
- Who
- India head coach Gautam Gambhir, Sanju Samson, and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
- What
- Gambhir discussed his difficult decision to leave Samson out and later manage Sooryavanshi’s selection.
- When
- Gambhir made the comments on September 23, 2026; the selection decisions occurred during the 2026 season.
- Where
- The comments were made to JioStar, and the related decisions involved India’s T20Is against England, Afghanistan, and Japan.
- Why
- Gambhir said Sooryavanshi’s form created competition at the top of the order, while India wanted to win the England series and maintain continuity with established performers.
Criticism of the Selection
Gambhir’s Rationale
Leaving Samson Out
Criticism of the Selection
Critics questioned benching Samson because he had been in strong form and had won Player of the Tournament at the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Gambhir’s Rationale
Gambhir said Sooryavanshi was also in exceptional form, India needed greater attacking impetus at the top, and the team had to win the England series.
Managing Sooryavanshi
Criticism of the Selection
Sooryavanshi’s later omission from the Afghanistan T20Is and Japan match could be viewed as a setback after his impressive debut and earlier performances.
Gambhir’s Rationale
Gambhir said even players in good form sometimes have to wait when established players have performed well over a longer period.
Selection Philosophy
Criticism of the Selection
Popular selection decisions may favor in-form or highly rated players seeking immediate opportunities.
Gambhir’s Rationale
Gambhir said social-media or outside pressure should not determine the playing XI and that continuity with proven India performers was important.
- Coach
- Gautam Gambhir
- Difficult decision
- Leaving Sanju Samson out of the T20I side after he had been Player of the Tournament at the 2026 T20 World Cup
- Sooryavanshi’s form
- He was coming off a record-breaking IPL 2026 season and an Under-19 World Cup final century
- International debut
- Sooryavanshi made his historic debut in the second T20I against England
- Selection change
- Sooryavanshi was replaced by Samson after three low-scoring innings
- Later matches
- Sooryavanshi was benched during the Afghanistan T20Is and a one-off match against Japan
- Next assignment
- India’s next T20 assignment was scheduled as the 2026 Asian Games semifinal on September 28
