Former Indian Ravichandran Ashwin has shown concern Sanju SamsonWith the sudden collapse in India’s T20I schedule, I wonder if external pressure and media coverage are starting to influence the polls. Samson, who was adjudged the Player of the Tournament during his impressive performance in India’s T20 World Cup earlier this year, has endured a major economic upheaval. After registering three consecutive wickets against Ireland and England, he was dropped from the playing XI in Manchester, where young opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will make his long-awaited international debut. India lost the match by four wickets, with Sooryavanshi scoring 14 runs. The wicketkeeper’s struggles continued as he was left out of India’s squad for the upcoming three-match T20I against Zimbabwe, with Prabhsimran Singh called up in his place after an impressive IPL 2026 campaign for Punjab Kings. Speaking on his YouTube channel Ash Ki BaatAshwin admitted that he was surprised at how quickly Samson was selected for the side despite his recent contributions. “Right now I’m worried. I’m worried because Sanju Samson has been dropped from the team so quickly. What’s Sanju thinking? Ashwin said. The former spinner also suggested that India could look at changing their batting style instead of pushing Samson out altogether. With Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Ishan Kishan all sitting on the left, Ashwin felt that Samson could slot in at No.3. “Currently, you already have three left-handers at the top: Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Ishan Kishan. Now, they will consider Sanju at number 3, I tell you. Everyone knows, including the coaching staff and Gautam Gambhir, that this was unfair to Sanju. So now they have to deal with this problem in a different way. “ Ashwin admitted that tough calls are a part of international cricket but said that players who have always returned the faith of the team should run for a long time before they are discarded. From his point of view, Samson had received that support because of what he did. The veteran also raised serious concerns about whether foreign ideologies are starting to shape decisions in India’s establishment. Sooryavanshi’s selection was widely demanded by fans following his record-breaking IPL season, and Ashwin questioned whether public opinion found its way into the selection process. “I am concerned about one thing. Is social media news and outside noise getting into the team? Is it influencing decision making? I have been watching cricket for a long time and I have seen many leaders in the Indian team. He didn’t let outside noise enter the dressing room, that’s how it should be,” he said. India will travel to Zimbabwe later this month for three T20I matches in Harare on July 23, 25 and 27. Samson’s absence from the squad is another sign of hindrance for the 31-year-old, whose place has gone to Prabhsimran Singh after strong domestic and IPL performances.