Ashwin Questions Frequent Changes in Team Selection
India’s senior spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has strongly criticized Team India’s frequent player rotation policy, alleging that Sanju Samson has been treated unfairly. While welcoming opportunities for young talents like Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Ashwin questioned how Samson, who was named Player of the Tournament in the 2026 T20 World Cup just a few months ago, could be dropped based on only a handful of poor performances.
“Who Will Be the Next Scapegoat?” Ashwin Asks Selectors
Speaking on journalist Vimal Kumar’s YouTube channel, Ashwin criticized the selectors after India’s consecutive defeats against England. He questioned who would become the next casualty following the team’s recent losses.
Referring to Samson’s exclusion after India’s two defeats on the Ireland tour, Ashwin asked whether another player would now be sacrificed following back-to-back losses in the England series.
Insecurity Among Players Can Hurt Indian Cricket
Ashwin warned that creating insecurity among players could have serious consequences for Indian cricket. According to him, if players constantly fear losing their place in the squad, they will begin playing to protect their positions rather than for the team’s success.
He stressed that this mindset is particularly dangerous in T20 cricket, where freedom and confidence are crucial. Ashwin also recalled raising similar concerns when Suryakumar Yadav was dropped from the team in the past.
Samson May Be Forced to Play for Personal Milestones
Ashwin said that even if Sanju Samson gets another opportunity, the lack of security could push him to focus more on protecting his own career than playing freely for the team.
He added that players cannot be blamed for such an approach because it is the responsibility of the team management to provide them with confidence and job security.
Double Standards in Selection Policy?
Ashwin also referred to the management’s recent statement that young batter Sai Sudharsan would be given an extended run in the Test team.
He questioned how the same management could claim that a player cannot be judged after just four matches, while dropping Samson after only three or four failures. Even if there are different standards for different players, Ashwin argued that Samson deserved at least two more opportunities before being sidelined.
Ashwin Questions “Rest” Given to Samson
Ashwin also expressed disappointment over the decision to rest Sanju Samson.
He pointed out that Samson currently plays only T20 internationals and is not part of India’s Test or ODI squads. Therefore, Ashwin questioned the logic behind giving him rest.
According to Ashwin, once the Zimbabwe tour ends, Samson would already have enough time to recover at home, making the official “rest” explanation difficult to justify.
Ashwin Calls for Fair Treatment
Concluding his remarks, Ashwin emphasized that every player should be judged using the same standards. He insisted that consistency in selection policy is essential for maintaining players’ confidence and ensuring a healthy team environment. According to Ashwin, fair opportunities and transparent decision-making are key to India’s long-term success in international cricket.
