Sanju Samson’s Asian Games 2026 dream is likely to be shattered after he was dropped from the India squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series in Zimbabwe.
Even though the BCCI announced the squad for the Asian Games 2026 in Japan last month, there is now a strong possibility of last-minute changes before the tournament gets underway. Amid this, Gautam Gambhir is unhappy with Sanju Samson’s Zimbabwe snub.
Sanju Samson pays the price for poor form!
Earlier this year, Sanju Samson had played a crucial role in India’s successful T20 World Cup campaign and finished the tournament as the Player of the Tournament. But now, things completely changed for him.
The wicketkeeper-batter has been left out of India’s squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe, raising fresh questions about his future in the national team.
The latest selection has made it clear that the Indian team management and selectors are ready to back a new generation of players. After recently moving on from T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav, the selectors have now taken another bold decision by dropping Samson.
The selection committee did not explain whether the Kerala batter was rested or simply dropped, leaving fans guessing about the reason behind his absence. Samson’s journey over the last few months has been a complete mix of highs and lows.
His struggles in the IPL 2026 followed him to India’s white-ball tour of Ireland and England. Across three T20Is, Samson managed only six runs. Those disappointing performances led the selectors to take the bold call to drop Samson from the T20I side, with teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi getting the chance for the Zimbabwe tour.
Sanju Samson’s Asian Games 2026 dream in danger?
However, this is not just limited to the Zimbabwe tour. It is being said that Sanju Samson is now not part of India’s scheme of things in T20Is, and the main reason behind this is his inconsistency. Although the BCCI announced India’s squad for the 2026 Asian Games last month, the changes in the squad are highly likely, and Samson could lose his place.
As reported by Times of India, the BCCI is likely to approach the concerned authorities to request changes to the squad if it has not already done so. The report also suggested that the tournament rules allow teams to make changes under special circumstances, allowing the BCCI to make changes. Who dropped Sanju Samson vs Zimbabwe? Report reveals role of India’s decision-makers
There is also uncertainty over India’s support staff for the upcoming Zimbabwe tour. Since there is very little time between the ongoing ODI series against England and the Zimbabwe assignment, discussions are taking place over whether the regular coaching staff will travel or if coaches from the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence will take charge for the Zimbabwe series.
India squad for the Asian Games 2026:
Shreyas Iyer (C), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (WK), Ishan Kishan (WK), Shivam Dube, Tilak Varma (VC), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
Well, Punjab Kings wicketkeeper-batter Prabhsimran Singh earned his maiden India call-up as the second wicketkeeper. Prabhsimran’s selection has made the fight for the wicketkeeper’s spot even more competitive.
With multiple options available, Samson now faces a difficult road back into India’s T20 side. He will need strong performances in domestic cricket to force his way back into the selectors’ plans.