'Everyone Must Earn Their Place': Gautam Gambhir Explains Sanju Samson's Omission
Webdunia | July 8, 2026 4:40 PM CST
India head coach Gautam Gambhir has said wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson has been fully informed about his current role in the team despite being left out of the playing XI, adding that the experienced batter remains in contention for the ongoing T20I series against England.
Samson has also been excluded from India's squad for the upcoming Zimbabwe tour, but Gambhir stressed that the decision does not rule out a return during the five-match T20I series against England.
"The clarity that needed to be given to Sanju Samson has already been communicated by me. That conversation is between the coach and the player," Gambhir said after India's 125-run defeat in the third T20I at Trent Bridge.
The India coach praised Samson's contributions to the national team, particularly during the T20 World Cup campaign, and said recent form was an important factor in team selection.
"What Sanju has done for India has been phenomenal. At times, selections are based on the form of players. There's no fixed rule that says he cannot come back into the side during this series," Gambhir said.
He reiterated that team selection is driven by performance and the combination best suited to deliver results.
"International cricket is about producing results. We always field the combination that we believe gives us the best chance of winning. I’ve always believed that everyone needs to earn their place," he added.
India's difficult tour has continued after suffering a historic 2-0 series defeat in Ireland before losing the opening two T20Is against England. The first match of the England series was washed out after the first innings.
Despite the disappointing run, Gambhir said the team is currently undergoing a transition following India's T20 World Cup triumph earlier this year.
He pointed out that several key members of the World Cup-winning squad, including Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah, are unavailable, while the team has introduced a number of new faces and leadership changes.
"When you're trying to reset the team, these phases are expected. The current side is quite different from the one that played the World Cup final. We have a new captain, different opening batters, and we're without experienced players like Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah. A reset takes time," Gambhir said.
India will now look to bounce back in the remaining matches as they aim to stay alive in the five-match T20I series.
Samson has also been excluded from India's squad for the upcoming Zimbabwe tour, but Gambhir stressed that the decision does not rule out a return during the five-match T20I series against England.
"The clarity that needed to be given to Sanju Samson has already been communicated by me. That conversation is between the coach and the player," Gambhir said after India's 125-run defeat in the third T20I at Trent Bridge.
The India coach praised Samson's contributions to the national team, particularly during the T20 World Cup campaign, and said recent form was an important factor in team selection.
"What Sanju has done for India has been phenomenal. At times, selections are based on the form of players. There's no fixed rule that says he cannot come back into the side during this series," Gambhir said.
He reiterated that team selection is driven by performance and the combination best suited to deliver results.
"International cricket is about producing results. We always field the combination that we believe gives us the best chance of winning. I’ve always believed that everyone needs to earn their place," he added.
India's difficult tour has continued after suffering a historic 2-0 series defeat in Ireland before losing the opening two T20Is against England. The first match of the England series was washed out after the first innings.
Despite the disappointing run, Gambhir said the team is currently undergoing a transition following India's T20 World Cup triumph earlier this year.
He pointed out that several key members of the World Cup-winning squad, including Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah, are unavailable, while the team has introduced a number of new faces and leadership changes.
"When you're trying to reset the team, these phases are expected. The current side is quite different from the one that played the World Cup final. We have a new captain, different opening batters, and we're without experienced players like Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah. A reset takes time," Gambhir said.
India will now look to bounce back in the remaining matches as they aim to stay alive in the five-match T20I series.
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