Ravichandran Ashwin hails Gautam Gambhir over Sanju Samson Selection controversy

Former Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has lauded head coach Gautam Gambhir for publicly acknowledging the difficulty of leaving Sanju Samson out of India's T20I squad. Gambhir recently admitted that dropping the talented wicketkeeper-batter from the national side was a hard decision, underscoring the tough trade-offs that come with selecting a limited-overs lineup. Ashwin's comments came in support of Gambhir's candour, with the spinner saying leadership must sometimes accept criticism and that transparent reasoning helps players understand why certain selections are made. Samson, who has excelled in domestic cricket and IPL performances, remains in contention for future opportunities, while the current squad reflects the balance required for rapid-fire formats, form, and workload management. The ongoing debate among fans and pundits around Samson's non-selection illustrates the scrutiny that accompanies national-team selection, but Gambhir's acknowledgment signals a process-driven approach to team building. As India prepares for upcoming T20 assignments, selectors and coaches are emphasising merit and squad balance, aiming to sustain momentum while granting exposure across different roles and conditions. Both Ashwin and Gambhir have emphasised that decisions are taken with the team's fortunes in mind.