New Delhi: Team India head coach has called Sanju Samson’s omission from the England series “probably the toughest” decision of his coaching career, and made it clear that teenage batting sensation will have to wait for his next chance with the national side.
The 15-year-old batter was one of the biggest talking points during India’s 3-0 T20I series victory against Afghanistan at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, with fans eagerly waiting to see Sooryavanshi make his first appearance in the national jersey on home soil.
However, the youngster remained on the sidelines throughout the series, with the Men in Blue sticking to the opening combination of Abhishek Sharma and Samson, which featured during their successful 2026 T20 World Cup campaign.
‘It was tough, probably the toughest decision’: Gambhir on dropping Samson from England T20I series
Gambhir said that Sooryavanshi’s talent is beyond doubt but stressed that the 15-year-old’s development does not mean he will automatically be selected in the playing XI.
“I think his talent itself is enough for him to be impressive. I think he showed what he is capable of,” Gambhir said.
Sooryavanshi became India’s youngest debutant earlier this year during the England series, and scored 42 runs across three matches. He was India’s highest run-scorer against Zimbabwe, smashing 151 runs at an average of 50.33 and a strike rate of 196.10, earning the Player of the Series award.
Despite that impressive run, the Indian head coach has decided to back Samson, who played a crucial role for India at the 2026 T20 World Cup. Gambhir revealed that leaving the wicketkeeper-batter out of the England series was the toughest decision for him.
“It was tough, probably the toughest decision I’ve taken in my coaching tenure, leaving him out in that England series because obviously the way he performed before that,” Gambhir added.
The pair of Abhishek and Samson scored 346 runs during the three-match series, including a 142-run opening partnership in the third T20I. Gambhir said that they wanted to go back with the World Cup-winning combination.
“But again, sometimes you go with a player’s form as well, and in this series, I was always very clear, from my point of view, that we want to go back with the combination that we had during the World Cup because those guys, after three or four failures, don’t become bad players”
“The kind of cricket we play, if a team that has gone unbeaten from one World Cup to the other World Cup and has won the World Cup, I’m sure it’s a gun team. So, that means it doesn’t become a bad team after one or two series and these guys cannot become bad players after two or three failures,” Gambhir added.
‘Sooryavanshi has to wait for his opportunity’
Gambhir said that he told Sooryavanshi that he has to wait for his opportunity. The head coach also acknowledged the teenager’s exceptional ability but said team selection would continue to be based on performance, combinations and the requirements.
“It was again a very clear conversation that he has to wait for his opportunity. We know what kind of talent he has. We know what he can do. Whether you’re 15-year-old or 30-year-old. Then you have to wait for your opportunity,” Gambhir said.
The Men in Blue will be next in action in their quarterfinal match at the Asian Games 2026 on September 28.