New Delhi: Sanju Samson, India's star wicketkeeper‑batter, was omitted from the three‑match T20 series against Zimbabwe, sparking a blistering response from his former coach Biju George. The exclusion came despite Samson’s pivotal role in India's triumphant T20 World Cup campaign earlier this year, where he was named Player of the Tournament after scoring 97* and back‑to‑back 89s.

World Cup brilliance and the fallout

Samson’s unbeaten 97 and two consecutive 89‑run knocks were instrumental in lifting India to the championship. Yet, the selection panel chose to leave him out of the Zimbabwe series, a move that George described as "heart‑breaking" and "unjustified". He argued that a player who single‑handedly won a World Cup deserves a sustained run of matches, not a sudden benching.

IPL success versus recent lows

In the IPL, Samson etched his name in history by scoring two centuries – the most by any batter in a single tournament edition. However, modest scores of 5, 0 and 1 on tours of Ireland and England saw him lose his spot to 15‑year‑old prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. The contrast between his domestic dominance and international exclusion raises questions about consistency in selection criteria.

Implications for upcoming Asian Games

Samson remains in India’s full‑strength squad for the 2026 Asian Games in Japan, underscoring his continued relevance. George warned that denying him a chance in Zimbabwe could push the board to rely heavily on younger talent, potentially compromising the team’s balance ahead of major multi‑sport events.

Long‑standing selection bias

George highlighted a pattern of perceived bias dating back to Samson’s Under‑19 days, when he was overlooked despite strong performances, while contemporaries received preferential treatment. "When Sanju steps onto the field, the odds seem stacked against him, whereas others glide through with ease," the coach lamented.

He also drew parallels with the recent removal of captain Suryakumar Yadav, noting that both players had delivered match‑winning contributions yet faced abrupt sidelining. George concluded with a hopeful note, urging Samson to channel the disappointment into performance and prove doubters wrong.