New Delhi: The Indian selectors have reportedly dropped star wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson from the squad for the three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Monday named the 15-man squad for the tour but did not give a reason for Samson’s omission, sparking widespread debate among fans and pundits.
According to reports, the Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel saw the Zimbabwe series as an opportunity to assess fringe players ahead of a busy international schedule.
With Samson already expected to feature in India’s squad for the 2026 Asian Games in Japan, the selectors have decided to give Prabsimran Singh, who has excelled for Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League in the last two seasons, a chance.
Prabsimran, who recently represented India A in the tri-series in Sri Lanka, joins Ishan Kishan as one of the two wicketkeeper-batsmen in the squad for the tour of Zimbabwe.
Samson’s exit has attracted significant attention given his excellent recent performances. The right-hander finished as the third-highest run-scorer in the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, before enjoying another stellar IPL campaign in which he scored two centuries and finished as Chennai Super Kings’ leading run-getter.
However, his fortunes waned during India’s tours of Ireland and England, where he was dismissed in the second T20I in Manchester with five, one and none, leading to the much-anticipated international debut of 15-year-old Vaibhav Suriyavanshi.
Despite that lean run, Samson’s recent form was not a factor in his omission from the Zimbabwean squad. It is not clear if the selectors informed him of their decision before announcing the squad.
The decision follows another high-profile selection call after India’s successful T20 World Cup defence. Earlier, former captain Suryakumar Yadav was dropped from the squad for the Ireland and England tours despite leading India to the world title.
Shreyas Iyer was recalled and appointed captain after consecutive IPL matches with Punjab Kings, a move the selectors said was a long-term move.
India’s three-match T20 series against Zimbabwe will be played in Harare on July 23, 25 and 26, four days after the England tour.
Former India captain VVS Laxman is expected to oversee the Zimbabwe tour and Asian Games campaign, while the regular coaching staff is ready for India’s Test tour of Sri Lanka in August and the white-ball series against the West Indies later that year.