In response to Sanju Samson's exclusion from India's team for the forthcoming T20I series against Zimbabwe, former India opener Sadagoppan Ramesh has launched a vicious attack on head selector Ajit Agarkar, claiming that the wicketkeeper-batter's heroics during the World Cup were crucial in prolonging Agarkar's term.
Samson, who won Player of the Tournament after hitting 321 runs in five innings at an average above 80 and a strike rate near 200, was one of the masterminds behind India's victory in the T20 World Cup 2026 earlier this year.
In the virtual quarterfinal, semi-final, and final, he scored game-winning fifties against West Indies, England, and New Zealand, respectively. Since then, Sanju also had a good first outing for Chennai Super Kings in the IPL 2026, hitting two centuries.
However, returning to India colors, Samson made only 6 runs in two T20Is against Ireland and the first T20I against England in Durham, which got rained out. As a result, Samson made way for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in the Indian XI for the second match in Manchester and was benched for the third game in Nottingham as well.
Moreso, when the BCCI unveiled the India squad for the three-T20I series in Zimbabwe, Sanju Samson was a surprise exclusion. The Kerala star is reportedly no longer part of Agarkar's plans, despite BCCI officials' off-the-record claims that he has just "rested."
S Ramesh questioned the reasoning behind the choice, pointing out that Agarkar profited from India's successful effort.
“This Agarkar, who dropped Samson, is in an extension period himself. His contract was to end in June, but the T20 World Cup triumph helped extend his time. And it was Sanju who played a major role in that victory. So, Sanju Samson is the reason Agarkar is even a selector in this extended period now. It is extremely harsh treatment to drop someone three matches after he was the Player of the Tournament in a World Cup,” Ramesh said on his YouTube channel.
Ramesh, who represented India in 19 Tests and 24 ODIs between 1999 and 2001, also contended that Samson's altruistic demeanor during the World Cup ought to have won him more respect from the team's management.
“In the semifinal and final, he had the opportunity to complete his century. But without thinking selfishly for personal milestones, he played for the team and got out. Such team players should be the first ones backed," said Ramesh.
Ramesh added that it would be unjust to single out Samson given the previous struggles of India's batting line as a whole. Samson is still a member of India's team for the Asian Games, which will take place following the Zimbabwe series.
