Samson's omission emotional, not logical, says Parthiv Patel
Synopsis
Parthiv Patel's verdict on Sanju Samson's omission cuts to the heart of India's selection dilemma: giving a 15-year-old his debut was an emotional call, not a logical one. With India already 3-0 down — their first T20I series loss to England — the debate over who should have played is now unavoidable.
Key Takeaways
Parthiv Patel said dropping Sanju Samson in favour of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was an emotional, not logical, selection call.
India trail England 3-0 in the five-match T20I series, with only one game remaining — England's first-ever bilateral T20I series win over India .
Sooryavanshi , aged 15 , scored 14 on debut and 13 in the third T20I as India's top order struggled.
India suffered a 125-run defeat in the third T20I — their heaviest loss in the format.
Patel cited Samson's consistency record — just one IPL season with 500-plus runs in 12 years — as the recurring reason for his omission.
The fifth and final T20I is scheduled for Saturday .
Former India wicketkeeper-batter Parthiv Patel has argued that the decision to drop Sanju Samson and hand teenage opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi a debut opportunity in the ongoing T20I series against England was driven by emotion rather than cricketing logic. Patel made the remarks as India stared at an unassailable 3-0 series deficit in the five-match rubber, with the first game washed out and only one fixture remaining.
How the Series Unravelled
England sealed the series with a commanding nine-wicket win in the fourth T20I — their first-ever bilateral T20I series victory over India. The defeat in the third match was particularly damaging: India suffered a 125-run loss, their heaviest in the format, exposing deep vulnerabilities in the top order.
Sooryavanshi, just 15 years old, has found it difficult to justify the bold selection. He scored 14 on debut, followed by 13 in the third T20I, with only a modest contribution in the fourth game as India's batting continued to struggle at the top.
Parthiv's Case Against the Selection Logic
'Why is it always Sanju Samson who misses out? If you look at Sanju Samson's career over the last 11-12 years, the one question that has always followed him is consistency. In 12 years, there has been just one IPL season in which he scored over 500 runs. Even in international cricket, he either blows hot or cold. And when it comes to selection, that factor always comes into play,' Patel said in an interview on Jio Hotstar.
He elaborated: 'Either the player who isn't scoring quickly enough gets left out, or the one who has been inconsistent. You can't make decisions based on both emotion and logic. So emotionally, yes, it was the right call to give Vaibhav Sooryavanshi a chance. But if you go purely by logic, then why has Sanju Samson been left out? So, I think this decision was taken emotionally.'
India's Deep Talent Pool and the Selection Paradox
Patel also placed the debate in a broader context, noting that India's extraordinary depth in batting talent perpetually fuels selection controversies. He pointed to the pattern seen at the last T20 World Cup, when Shreyas Iyer's absence dominated headlines — only for questions about Rajat Patidar's exclusion to emerge once Iyer was recalled.
'Ever since the series against Ireland began, everyone has been saying, 'Play Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, play Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.' Now that he's playing, the question has become, 'Why isn't Sanju Samson playing?' That's just our tendency. Because our talent pool is so deep, whenever the team loses a match, we always feel the player sitting out would have done a better job,' Patel added.
What Happens in the Final Match
India and Sooryavanshi will look to salvage some pride when the two sides meet in the fifth and final T20I on Saturday. For the defending T20 World Cup champions, a consolation win would do little to mask a series that exposed selection inconsistencies and a fragile top order — questions that will follow the team into their next assignment.
Point of View
But so is the pattern of giving him just enough rope to hang himself before pulling the plug. Handing a 15-year-old a debut in a high-stakes bilateral series against England, while a proven international batter warmed the bench, reflects a selection culture that chases narrative as much as performance. The 3-0 deficit makes that gamble look costlier in hindsight — and raises questions about whether India's deep talent pool is an asset or an excuse for indecision.
NationPress
10 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Sanju Samson dropped from India's T20I squad against England?
Sanju Samson was dropped to give 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi a debut opportunity. Former wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel argued the decision was driven by emotion rather than cricketing logic, citing Samson's long-standing consistency issues as the recurring factor behind his omissions.
How has Vaibhav Sooryavanshi performed in the T20I series against England?
Sooryavanshi has struggled to make an impact, scoring 14 on debut and 13 in the third T20I. His contributions have been modest as India's top order continued to falter across the series.
What is India's current standing in the T20I series against England?
India trail England 3-0 in the five-match series, with the first game washed out and only one fixture remaining. England sealed the series with a nine-wicket win in the fourth T20I — their first-ever bilateral T20I series victory over India.
What did Parthiv Patel say about Sanju Samson's career consistency?
Patel noted that consistency has been the defining question around Samson across his 11-12 year career, pointing out that in 12 years there has been just one IPL season in which Samson scored over 500 runs. He said this factor repeatedly influences selection decisions against Samson.
When is the final T20I between India and England?
The fifth and final T20I is scheduled for Saturday. India will look to end the tour with a consolation win, though the series result is already decided in England's favour.
