Archive · 18 Sep 2026
Gambhir Explains Samson’s England Omission and Sooryavanshi’s Wait
India’s cricket coach, Gautam Gambhir, explained why some batters played and others had to wait.
Sanju Samson was left out of the England series after several low scores.
Gambhir said this was one of the hardest decisions he had made as coach because Samson had played very well before that.
India then brought Samson back for the Afghanistan series.
Samson and Abhishek Sharma opened together and helped India win all three matches.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is a talented 15-year-old who had also performed well for India.
However, Gambhir said Sooryavanshi must wait because the older opening pair had been successful.
He said players do not become bad after only a few failures.
Gambhir also said injuries and Asian Games commitments can create opportunities for other players.
Gautam Gambhir called Sanju Samson’s exclusion from the England series the toughest decision of his coaching tenure.
India restored the Abhishek Sharma-Samson opening combination during its 3-0 T20I series win over Afghanistan.
The pair scored 346 runs together, including a 142-run opening partnership in the third T20I.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi remained out of the Afghanistan playing XI despite strong performances in England and Zimbabwe.
Gambhir said selection prioritizes form, established combinations, long-term performance, injuries and team requirements.
- Who
- India head coach Gautam Gambhir discussed Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and India’s wider squad selection.
- What
- Gambhir explained Samson’s omission from the England series and why Sooryavanshi did not play against Afghanistan.
- When
- During media comments after India’s three-match Afghanistan T20I series; he also discussed the earlier England tour and future World Cup preparation.
- Where
- The Afghanistan series included a match at Arun Jaitley Stadium; the articles do not specify where the England series took place.
- Why
- Gambhir said India wanted to restore its successful World Cup combination while also considering form, long-term performance, injuries, combinations and team needs.
Continuity and Experience
Youth and Opportunity
Opening selection
Continuity and Experience
India should retain Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson because they were part of the successful World Cup combination and performed strongly against Afghanistan.
Youth and Opportunity
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi appeared to merit an opportunity after making his international debut in England and producing strong performances against Zimbabwe.
Selection priorities
Continuity and Experience
Players with sustained performances and established roles should remain ahead of newcomers, while a few failures should not displace proven players.
Youth and Opportunity
Recent form and exceptional performances from a young player should create opportunities, even when an established player is returning from a difficult period.
Squad availability
Continuity and Experience
India needs its strongest available players for World Cup preparation, and injuries or Asian Games commitments can weaken the team.
Youth and Opportunity
The absence of frontline players can give younger members of the squad opportunities to demonstrate their ability in international cricket.
- Afghanistan series result
- India won the three-match T20I series 3-0.
- Opening combination
- Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson opened for India during the Afghanistan series.
- Opening runs
- The pair combined for 346 runs in the series.
- Largest partnership
- They shared a 142-run opening stand in the third T20I.
- Sooryavanshi in England
- Vaibhav Sooryavanshi scored 42 runs across three matches on the England tour.
- Sooryavanshi in Zimbabwe
- He scored 151 runs at an average of 50.33 and a strike rate of 196.10, earning Player of the Series.
- Squad concerns
- Gambhir said injuries and Asian Games commitments could limit India’s access to its best players before World Cup preparations.
