Ajinkya Rahane posted a highly talked-about Instagram Story today questioning selectors over Sanju Samson's omission from India's T20I squad for the upcoming tour of Zimbabwe.Rahane openly threw his weight behind the wicketkeeper-batter, expressing his disbelief and emphasizing the need for transparency from team management.
"Hope there has been some communication with @imsanjusamson. Find it odd that the hero of our recent T20 WC win has been left out of the T20 squad to Zimbabwe. Hope to see him back in the team soon.” His heartfelt message quickly gained attention across social media, with fans praising the experienced cricketer for publicly backing his former Rajasthan Royals teammate.
1Samson's exclusion has become one of the biggest talking points following India's squad announcement. Despite playing a key role in India's triumphant T20 World Cup campaign, the Kerala batter did not find a place in the 15-member squad for the three-match series. While reports suggested that Samson was rested as the selectors looked to test younger players, the absence of an official clarification led to widespread debate among fans and former cricketers.
His words also reflected the respect Samson has earned within the Indian dressing room. As discussions continue over the squad selection, Rahane made it clear that he believes Samson deserves another opportunity and remains confident that the stylish wicketkeeper-batter will soon return to India's T20 setup.
India's Zimbabwe T20I schedule and squad plans explained
Sanju Samson has been left out of the 15-member Indian T20I squad for the three-match series against Zimbabwe. While the initial omission sparked debate that Samson was "dropped" following a lean patch of 6 runs across three innings against Ireland and England, BCCI selection sources confirmed he has been rested.
Samson is a core senior player already named in India's upcoming full-strength squad for the 2026 Asian Games in September, selectors opted to give fresh exposure to younger talent rather than benching him on a fringe tour. Punjab Kings opener Prabhsimran Singh received his maiden senior India call-up to serve as the secondary wicketkeeper behind Ishan Kishan.
Prior to the squad announcement, the CSK batter was also subbed out of India's playing XI during the tour of England to accommodate the debut of 15-year-old batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. The BCCI has officially confirmed the schedule for the upcoming India senior men's tour of Zimbabwe 2026. The bilateral assignment features a high-octane, three-match T20I series played entirely at the iconic Harare Sports Club Ground.
Designed for maximum viewer engagement, the games are packed into a tight four-day window: the opening T20I kicks off on Thursday, July 23, followed by consecutive weekend action with the second match on Saturday, July 25, and the series finale on Sunday, July 26. All three fixtures are slated for a prime-time slot of 4:30 PM IST (1:00 PM local time), streaming live via premium subscription on FanCode in India.
