Sanju Samson has been left out of India’s squad for the three T20Is against Zimbabwe later this month, as the selectors continue to look at newer options in the short format.
The series will be played in Harare, with matches scheduled for July 23, July 25 and July 27. The squad named for the tour includes fresh faces in the bowling group, with pacers Yash Thakur and Ashok Sharma receiving maiden national call-ups.
Yash Thakur and Ashok Sharma get their first call-ups
Yash Thakur and Ashok Sharma have been picked after their performances for Gujarat Titans in IPL 2026. The source report described their outings in the tournament as impressive, and both have now been rewarded with places in India’s 15-member T20 squad for Zimbabwe.
Left-arm spinner Harsh Dubey is another new entrant in the T20 squad. He recently made his ODI debut against Afghanistan and has now been included in the T20 group as well.
A person familiar with the selection committee’s developments told PTI, on condition of anonymity, that Zimbabwe was a suitable place to test young pace options. The person said, "Mayank Yadav and Ashok Sharma are two of India’s fastest bowlers. They are young. If selectors don’t try them against even Zimbabwe where will they try."
Prabhsimran Singh takes the wicketkeeper-batter slot
Samson’s place in the squad has gone to wicketkeeper-batter Prabhsimran Singh. Prabhsimran had a strong run for Punjab Kings in IPL 2026 and was also part of the Indian team at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou.
The report does not state a specific reason for Samson’s omission. It frames the decision as part of the selectors’ continuing attempt to look at younger players and widen the pool in T20 cricket.
Samson, described in the source report as a World Cup-winning batter, had also missed out on the playing eleven in the second T20I against England at Manchester during India’s ongoing five-match series. He was replaced in that match by Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s England appearance
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s inclusion in the playing eleven against England made him India’s youngest ever international cricketer, going past the mark associated with Sachin Tendulkar. The source report identifies him as a left-hander and a teen prospect.
That change in the England series adds context to Samson’s absence from the Zimbabwe tour squad, though the report does not connect it to any formal selection explanation. For now, the confirmed development is that Samson is not in the 15-member group for the three matches in Harare.
Zimbabwe series schedule
- First T20I: July 23, Harare
- Second T20I: July 25, Harare
- Third T20I: July 27, Harare
The Zimbabwe tour gives India three T20Is to assess newer players in match conditions. For Yash Thakur, Ashok Sharma and Harsh Dubey, it is a chance to be part of the national T20 setup. For Prabhsimran Singh, it is another opportunity after his IPL 2026 season and his earlier presence in the Asian Games squad.
The main selection headline, however, remains Samson’s exclusion. With India choosing a squad that includes several fresh names, the focus in Harare will be on how these younger players fit into the T20 plans.
Source: The Hindu Cricket.