NEW DELHI: Wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson has been left out of India’s T20I squad for the upcoming three-match series against Zimbabwe after a poor run of form.The selectors announced a 15-member squad for the tour, with Shreyas Iyer named captain. Teenage opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who recently made his international debut, retained his place in the squad. Rajasthan fast bowler Ashok Sharma also received his first call-up to the senior India squad. The pacer was earlier drafted into the India A squad for the tri-series in Sri Lanka.
The poor run cost Samson his place
Samson has struggled for runs in recent matches.He was dropped from India’s playing XI for the second T20I against England after scoring just one run in seven balls in the opening match.Before that, he also had a disappointing series against Ireland, where he scored 0 and 5 in two T20Is.His absence from the Zimbabwe squad comes after a string of low scores despite being one of India’s leading players in the shortest format.The inclusion is a big setback for Samson, who played a key role in India’s recent T20 World Cup-winning campaign.His consistent performances during the tournament earned him the Player of the Tournament award.
Ashok Sharma got the call of Indian maiden
Fast bowler Ashok Sharma was rewarded for his impressive performances in his first-ever call-up to the senior India T20I squad.The Rajasthan pacer was also recently included in the India A squad for the tri-series in Sri Lanka and now has a chance to make his international debut.
India’s T20I squad for Zimbabwe
Shreyas Iyer (Captain), Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma (Vice-Captain), Ishan Kishan (WK), Shivam Dube, Suryansh Shedge, Rinku Singh, Harsh Dubey, Varun Chakaravarathy, Prince Yadav, Yash Thakur, Ashok Sharma, Mayank Yarandav.
India ODI squad:
The Men’s Selection Committee also named Shivam Dube as Nitish Kumar Reddy’s replacement in India’s ODI squad.Shubman Gill (Captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (Vice-Captain), KL Rahul (WK), Ishan Kishan (WK), Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Gurnoor Du Brar.