Selection options for the first T20 international in between India and South Africa At the Barabati Stadium, the exclusion of the famous WicketKeeper-corpse ignited an odestorm of criticism Sanju Samson confusing fans and pundits. A recent Australian series in the management of the team, especially the merger decision related to the retained Australian series Jitesh Sharma Like the first choice gloves, it has expanded to be a very important step T20 World Cup 2026.
Sanju Samson Drop by India sticking to the latest template
Playing Xi led by India Suryakumar YadavI thoroughly saw the turn of the key Hardik Pandya and opener Shubman Gillbut retained the core group from the previous series. It was no room for Samson or for the spinner Kuldeep Yadavwith team management, Jitesh was reported to favor his low-level finishing abilities.
Samson, who was earlier at the top of the order before the return of vice-captain Gill, has since cemented his middle-order position as captain Suryakumar’s “good headache” for the team.
India (Playing XI): Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Tilak varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma (W), Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh.
Samson’s absence, especially in a critical series meant to finalize the squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup, did not sit well with the vast majority of fans. Social media platforms were flooded with angry messages and hashtags with many lambasting and team management for what they perceived as inappropriate and unfair treatment of talented Kerala cricketers.
Here is the reaction of the fans:
So the guy who scored two T20I centuries, centuries, the last time we played them… should have been benched now
Indeed, regardless of the shape of the system, certain players are supported, those who are truly deserving are always given the same confidence or … pic.twitter.com/1ep8rbfqdx
– Sanju Samson Fans Page (@sanjusamsonfp) December 9, 2025
– ISHAN’s career will open in Odi
– Ended Jaiswal’s career to open in T20
– mandatory virat retires to play in 4th test
– Over Rohit’s captaincy career
– Sanjuu Samson’s opener is overTo choke in every important match, prince shubman gill for you pic.twitter.com/w7ueirjbms
– Aditya (@wxtreme10) December 9, 2025
The T20 World Cup is just around the corner and as always, the politics against Sanju Samson has started.
I will never forgive Gill for robbing Sanju Samson’s place in the Indian team pic.twitter.com/eexsjh8rj3
— Brevis (@Ben10brevis) December 9, 2025
🤯 ** ** SANJU SAMSON benched for 1st T20I vs SA? Seriously? **
With the T20 World Cup coming up, India ignores a player in this form, just for ‘convenience’?
SMAT 2025 Campaign Highlights:
✅ *** 233 168.25 avg ** (between 6 games)
🔥 Scores ** 73 * (56), 51 * … pic.twitter.com/dwab3shvey– Dipankar (@dipankarrish) December 9, 2025
🚨 Politics lost cricket 🚨
Politician Gautam Gambhir and strike man Ajit Agarkar have successfully destroyed the career of Sanju Samson
– First, Sanju was removed from the opening
– Then, they dropped him and the next series will also remove him from the castpic.twitter.com/m5p8v0qhlk– Mr Stranger (@mrstrager005) December 9, 2025
I was waiting all day to watch Sanju Samson bat in the evening.
God is watching Gautam Gambhir and Surya Kumar Yadav.pic.twitter.com/jpugvrrrk1w
– Dhruv thakur (@dhruv_thakur___) December 9, 2025
Shubman Gill has not crossed 50 in 13 innings this year.
You can buy some sales journalists @rohitjuglan and trigger all the negative PR for having something like Sanju Samson who is the top scorer in the least calendar year but that doesn’t score runs for you. pic.twitter.com/qszd2ijy8f
– Anuragâ„¢ (@samsoncentral) December 9, 2025
When I see Santu Samson being coached by Gautam Gambhir, my mind immediately goes back to all the tweets he posted. 🫣 pic.twitter.com/ftyzn1eybx
– Vipin Tiwari (@vpintiwari952) December 9, 2025
Justice for Sanju Samson, he is not playing today pic.twitter.com/0ihrm75awd
– Chinma Shah (@Chinmayshah28) December 9, 2025
Gautam Gambhir dropped Sanju Samson for this unfortunate T20 player Shubhman Gill pic.twitter.com/t0dxdzeil6
– `(ITZ_BL3ZE) December 9, 2025
– Ceat Ceat Men’s T20I is back for a few months.
-WC is coming and still not in XI.Your name is Sanju Samson, that is very normal.
God is watching @Gautamgambhir pic.twitter.com/tali2vjydd
– Anuragâ„¢ (@samsoncentral) December 9, 2025
Sanju Samson playing 11 for today’s match can’t imagine Shubman Gill and Jitesh Sharma playing ahead of Sanju Samson.
Putting Hong Kong Yadav and Gautam Gambhir to shame.
– Dhruv thakur (@dhruv_thakur___) December 9, 2025
Sanju has Opener🔥 in 3 hundreds in 10 overs
Gill has 0 hands in 13 shots 💩Favoritism is so high, even the scorecard is embarrassed.
Sanju Samson >>>>>>>>>> pic.twitter.com/jhywryotuw
– Luckycsk (@Luckycsk7) December 9, 2025
Goy and Shubman Gill failed in T20Is for the ages. Again, it only took one bad game for Sanju to drop Samson. Goy has at least performed for India in the past, but Gill is becoming the new trouser in the T20IS. https://t.co/gyr31rm8m6 pic.twitter.com/fzroo2suke
– JJ (@jjumaybe) December 9, 2025
Sanju dropped Samson after joining CSK, you can’t convince CSK players that he doesn’t hate them. pic.twitter.com/n3vhoi0tjh
– `(ITZ_BL3ZE) December 9, 2025
Read: IND VS SA: 3 Indian players who can cause trouble in South Africa in T20I series
