'Clarity Has Been Given': Gautam Gambhir Earmarks Samson's Role Amid Omission Debates

India head coach Gautam Gambhir said Sanju Samson has been given full clarity on his role after being left out of the playing XI, and he did not rule out a return for the wicketkeeper-batter in the ongoing five-match T20I series against England. India trail 0-2 after two losses and one washout.

Speaking after India’s 125-run defeat in the third T20I in Nottingham on Tuesday, Gambhir said the senior batter remains part of India’s plans. Samson has also been left out of the squad for the upcoming tour of Zimbabwe. Gambhir said the team will pick the best combination based on form and results.

Gambhir on Samson’s role

“The clarity that should have been given to Sanju Samson, he has got from me,” Gambhir said. “And that conversation is between a head coach and a player. The contents of that conversation are obviously not something I'll share with you....we are absolutely clear that what Sanju has done for India, especially during the World Cup, has been phenomenal. Sometimes, though, you also have to look at the form of a certain player. There is no hard and fast rule that he cannot make a comeback in this series.”

Samson, who was Player of the Tournament at this year’s T20 World Cup, lost his place after scores of 5, 0, and 1 in his last three innings against Ireland and in the series-opener against England. He was replaced by 15-year-old batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. The 31-year-old was also omitted from the Zimbabwe squad, with selectors preferring Prabhsimran Singh after his IPL season for the Punjab Kings.

Gambhir said international cricket is decided by results and that selection will continue to depend on the combination that gives India the best chance of winning. “I've always believed that everyone needs to earn their place. Everyone needs to earn the right to play for India,” he said.