Exclusive – I don’t think Sanju Samson was dropped for the series against Zimbabwe: MSK Prasad

The Ajit Agarkar–led selection committee’s decision to not pick Sanju Samson for the upcoming three match T20I series against Zimbabwe has triggered a widespread discussion in Indian cricket. Samson, who was the Player of the Tournament in the successful T20 World Cup 2026 campaign, was left out from the Indian T20I side for the tour to Zimbabwe. Former selection committee chairman MSK Prasad firmly believes Samson was rested and not dropped. According to Prasad, it was a decision taken to give more opportunity to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and fringe players like Prabhsimran Singh.

What is your take on Sanju Samson missing out on the upcoming three–match T20I series against Zimbabwe?

MSK Prasad: I personally feel that someone who has helped India win the T20 World Cup and was the Player of the Tournament cannot simply be dropped. I am convinced this is more about resting him and giving an opportunity to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. The selectors want to see whether he is ready for international cricket. Otherwise, leaving out a player of Sanju’s stature is difficult to justify.

So, do you believe he has actually been rested and not dropped?

MSK Prasad: I don’t think he has been dropped. Right now, everyone wants to see Vaibhav Suryavanshi in international cricket. There has been enormous excitement around him. Had he not been picked, there would have been questions about why he was left out. Now that he is in the squad, the selectors want to assess him at this level. He may not have produced a big knock yet, but Vaibhav is undoubtedly one of the brightest talents in Indian cricket.

At the same time, you cannot disregard someone who has won the T20 World Cup for India. The first six months after a World Cup are usually about experimentation. The selectors try different combinations before gradually settling on their core group, 12 to 18 months ahead of the next World Cup. This could simply be part of that process. But if anyone says Sanju has been dropped because of three failures, I completely disagree.

Is it fair on Sanju, considering the role he played in India’s T20 World Cup triumph?

MSK Prasad: Personally, I would have persisted with him. But the fact that he is already part of the Asian Games squad suggests this is more of a planned break than a dropping. We’ve seen this before. During the World Cup itself, he didn’t perform in the early stages. After getting a short break, he came back stronger and eventually became the Player of the Tournament. Perhaps this will motivate him further and push him to become even more consistent.

The only question he might ask himself is, “Why me and not someone else?” That could inspire him to ensure he never gives anyone a reason to leave him out again. Once again, I don’t believe he has been dropped. The selectors simply wanted to create an opportunity for Vaibhav Suryavanshi.

Could this omission affect Sanju’s confidence?

MSK Prasad: I don’t think so. Sanju is an experienced cricketer. He made his T20I debut years ago and, despite a long gap in between, he has established himself through consistent performances. Consistency was once considered his weakness, but over the last two or three years he has overcome that. He has produced match-winning innings for India, including centuries in South Africa. He has delivered in knockout matches and in the World Cup. He is an exceptional talent. If someone says he has been dropped, I cannot accept that. This will not dent his confidence. If anything, it will motivate him to work even harder.

Consistency has often been discussed in Sanju’s case, but on his day, he is one of India’s biggest match-winners…

MSK Prasad: Absolutely. T20 cricket comes with risk, especially for someone who plays the way Sanju does. He always puts the team’s interests first. Just look at Rohit Sharma in the 2023 ODI World Cup. He played selfless innings to give India explosive starts while others finished the job. Similarly, Sanju has often sacrificed personal milestones for the team’s strategy. Yes, he may lose his wicket while playing aggressively, but he is simply too valuable a player to be dropped.

The selectors now have plenty of opening options in T20 format — Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Sanju Samson and Prabhsimran Singh…

MSK Prasad: And don’t forget Sai Sudharsan and Shubman Gill. Both have scored over 700 IPL runs. It’s a great problem to have, but it also makes the selectors’ job extremely difficult. That’s why you need a clear pecking order. Tours like Zimbabwe are ideal for experimentation. You could have rested Ishan Kishan as well and tried someone else. I’m not being overly critical because historically, after World Cups, India has often sent young squads to Zimbabwe.

Those tours are meant to evaluate players for the future and see whether they are ready for international cricket. So, I’m not surprised by the experimentation. But perhaps a few more senior players could also have been rested. That’s why people are asking, “Why Sanju and not Ishan?” Those are difficult questions for selectors to answer. The important thing is that Sanju has immediately been included in the Asia Cup squad. That clearly tells me he has not been dropped—he has simply been rested.

Finally, if you were the chairman of the selection committee, what would be your message to Sanju?

MSK Prasad: I would put my arm around him and tell him that he remains one of the key players in this Indian team. He helped India win the World Cup, and we will continue to back him as long as he performs. It’s too early to discuss the 2028 T20 World Cup, but I certainly believe he should be part of India’s plans against major teams like England, Australia and South Africa. Those conditions suit his batting because he enjoys playing on pitches with extra bounce.

I was a little surprised that he wasn’t picked for this series. If rotation was the idea, others could also have been rested. Looking ahead, whether he plays the next World Cup depends on how he performs over the next two years. There are two IPL seasons and plenty of international cricket before then. Before the last World Cup, he was in phenomenal form, scoring multiple centuries. Although his form dipped briefly, he delivered when it mattered the most. That’s what champions do—they rise to the occasion. How he manages his fitness and performances over the next 18 to 20 months is entirely in his hands. I don’t think the selectors will make such a decision again unless his performances drop significantly. For me, Sanju Samson should remain an integral part of India’s core T20 side.

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