Sanju Samson unfairly dropped? Abhishek Sharma’s failure vs Zimbabwe attracts severe criticism from Indian fans originally appeared on Cricket News.
Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Abhishek Sharma’s failure against Zimbabwe has drawn heavy criticism from fans.
- Many argue Sanju Samson was harshly dropped despite his World Cup heroics.
- Samson was named Player of the Tournament at the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Sanju Samson unfairly dropped? Abhishek Sharma’s failure vs Zimbabwe attracts severe criticism from Indian fans
India might have sealed their T20I series against Zimbabwe with a 90-run win in Harare on Saturday, but the comfortable result did little to quiet a growing debate about the make-up of their top order. With the third T20I remaining and India eyeing a 3-0 whitewash, all eyes were on their opening duo.
Abhishek Sharma, India’s number one-ranked T20I batter, fell cheaply once again, dismissed by Blessing Muzarabani for just 2 runs off 4 balls.
This comes after Sharma was dismissed for 1(8) and 8(8) in the last two matches. It extended a lean run for the opener across the tour and reignited questions about a player who is not even in the squad.
That player is Sanju Samson. The wicketkeeper was named Player of the Tournament at the 2026 T20 World Cup yet finds himself rested for this series, and Abhishek’s struggles have led many fans to brand his omission deeply unfair.
MORE: ‘Why not Samson?’: Srikkanth questions India team management’s contrasting treatment
Indian fans rally behind Sanju Samson
The criticism was led by Sushant Mehta, founder of the Sports Yaari Network, who questioned the logic of persisting with Abhishek while a World Cup star sat out. “6th consecutive failure for Abhishek Sharma; remember T20WC player of the tournament Sanju Samson has been dropped. Unfair?” he wrote.
6th Consecutive failure for Abhishek Sharma, remember T20WC player of the tournament — Sanju Samson has been dropped. Unfair?
— Sushant Mehta (@SushantNMehta) July 26, 2026
Meanwhile, others pointed out that Sharma hasn’t been integral to India’s success and highlighted inconsistencies in the selection process. One fan aptly wrote, “Abhishek Sharma hasn’t even been able to perform against a smaller team like Zimbabwe. Where is the equality? Why does Sanju Samson always have to sit out? Treat the World Cup-winning player with the respect and opportunities he deserves.”
Abhishek Sharma hasn’t even been able to perform against a smaller team like Zimbabwe. Where is the equality? Why does Sanju Samson always have to sit out? Treat the World Cup-winning player with the respect and opportunities he deserves #Sanjusamson#INDVSZIM@BCCI
— Jas (@JitheeshE22459) July 26, 2026
Other supporters echoed the sense of a double standard. “Sanju Samson got dropped from the team just after 4 failures, and Abhishek Sharma is India’s main opener after failing in the whole World Cup,” one fan posted. “Also failed in the last 3 T20I series. Different rules for different players.”
Sanju Samson got dropped from the team just after 4 failures and Abhishek Sharma is India’s main opener after failing in whole World Cup.
Also failed in the last 3 T20I Series. Different rules for Different players. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/sXdOckhYYw
— Soman. (@Shreyasian96) July 26, 2026
But while some were still civil, others didn’t put any filter and made even blunter comparisons. “So Abhishek Sharma can fail multiple numbers of times, and still he will get more chances and won’t be dropped, but Sanju Samson, who made India win T20WC and performed in 3 crucial games, will get dropped after just 3 failures as always,” they wrote.
So Abhishek Sharma can fail multiple numbers of times and still he will get more chances and won’t be dropped but Sanju Samson who made India win T20WC and performed in 3 crucial games will get dropped after just 3 failure as always.
— Riken (@97off50) July 26, 2026
One reaction went further, alleging favouritism from the team management, a claim that reflects the fan’s own view rather than any established fact. “Abhishek Sharma failed again, but the selectors and coach only dropped Sanju Samson,” the fan posted. “They won’t drop Abhishek Sharma because he is a puppet of GG.”
Abishek sharma failed again but the selectors and coach only drop sanju samson
They won’t drop abishek sharma because he is a puppet of GG
In world cup no good innings and he scored 50 only in finals and 2 time good score he scored after wc but they drop inly sanju#banGG— Pravanchan Selvam (@Pravanchanselva) July 26, 2026
The direct allegations against Gautam Gambhir echo a feeling that has been felt by Indian fans for a long time now considering the names that have been part of the Indian squads. While India’s status as the T20 champions has kept these statements mellow, the current form of Sharma has made the fans much more vocal.
MORE: Hardik Pandya trade: MI want CSK duo as part of swap deal
The anger is understandable; the comparison less so
The frustration is easy to sympathise with. Samson was one of the heroes of India’s World Cup triumph, and watching him carry drinks while an out-of-form opener keeps his place naturally feels inconsistent to supporters who value recent achievement.
The picture is more complicated than the posts suggest, however. Abhishek and Samson are not direct replacements for one another, and India’s team management has clearly identified Abhishek as its first-choice opener for the next World Cup cycle rather than a short-term option.
That does not entirely excuse the selection. Backing a player through poor form is defensible, but the same patience must eventually be extended to Samson, and India cannot keep justifying one man’s place on potential while dropping another on results alone.
For all the latest cricket news, opinion, and commentary and to share your voice, head to our Facebook, Instagram, and X (Twitter) pages.
Discover more from NAIRAVOICE.COM.NG
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
