'Hope there is communication': Ajinkya Rahane 'finds it odd' that T20 World Cup hero Sanju Samson was dropped from India squad for ZIM

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'Hope there is communication': Ajinkya Rahane 'finds it odd' that T20 World Cup hero Sanju Samson was dropped from India squad for ZIM tour originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:​

• Ajinkya Rahane has publicly questioned Sanju Samson's omission from India's Zimbabwe T20I squad.
• He said he found it odd that a T20 World Cup hero had been dropped.
• Rahane hoped the selectors had communicated properly with the wicketkeeper-batter over the decision.

Ajinkya Rahane 'finds it odd' that Sanju Samson was dropped from India squad​

The wave of sympathy and support for Sanju Samson continues to grow within Indian cricketing circles. Following his surprise omission from the squad for Zimbabwe, another respected voice from the fraternity has spoken up in defence of the under-fire wicketkeeper-batter.

Veteran batter Ajinkya Rahane has become the latest figure to publicly voice his bewilderment at the decision. Taking to social media, the seasoned campaigner made it clear he was struggling to understand the logic behind leaving out such a recent match-winner for the tour.

His comments echo a sentiment shared by many across the game, from former captains to pundits. The consensus remains that dropping a player of Samson's proven pedigree, so soon after his heroics on the world stage, is a call that demands proper justification.

MORE: Asian Games 2026: BCCI could tweak India squad as doubt looms over Samson future

Rahane questions the Samson call​

Rahane chose to express his views through his Instagram story, and he did not hold back on the core issue. He was baffled by the exclusion of a genuine hero, writing that he found "it odd that the hero of our recent T20 WC win has been left out of the T20 squad to Zimbabwe."

Crucially, the former India Test vice-captain stressed the importance of clear dialogue with the axed star. "Hope there has been some communication with @imsanjusamson," Rahane wrote, tagging the wicketkeeper directly and highlighting the need for transparency from the team management.

AJINKYA RAHANE's STORY FOR SANJU SAMSON pic.twitter.com/Sxi7X9XlNv

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) July 7, 2026

Despite his concerns over the decision, Rahane ended his message on a hopeful and supportive note for his colleague. "Hope to see him back in the team soon," he added, expressing his optimism that Samson's absence from the international setup would only prove to be a temporary one.

His intervention adds significant weight to the growing chorus of discontent. As an experienced international who understands the pressures of selection, Rahane's public backing lends further credibility to the argument that Samson has been treated somewhat harshly by the decision-makers.

MORE: India squad for Zimbabwe T20I tour 2026: Samson dropped!

A recurring theme of communication​

Rahane's emphasis on communication is particularly telling and strikes at the heart of the matter. Indian cricket has faced repeated criticism over how it handles senior players, and a lack of clarity in such situations can badly damage a player's confidence and standing.

Ultimately, while the selectors may have valid cricketing reasons rooted in Samson's inconsistency, the manner of the decision matters greatly.

Ensuring a proven champion feels valued and informed is just as important as the selection itself, a balance India has not always managed to strike well.


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