Gautam Gambhir took time to talk with Sanju Samson after the wicketkeeper-batter was ignored of the playing XI to accommodate debutant Vaibhav Suryavanshi for the second T20I against England. Samson was the one change to India’s lineup at Old Trafford Cricket Ground on Saturday, July 4, following a disappointing run of performances on the tour.
India faced a serious selection decision after the series opener, where Samson managed only one run. With Suryavanshi waiting within the wings, the team management eventually opted to make the change despite earlier backing their World Cup-winning core and indicating they’d be given prolonged support.
Samson now finds himself out of the side once more, leaving questions over his immediate future. With the present management emphasizing transparent communication, Gambhir was seen having an intense one-on-one discussion with the batter on the sector, displaying his trademark animated style.
Sanju Samson appeared calm after the conversation and was even seen hugging and patting coach Gautam Gambhir, reflecting positive body language following their exchange. Gambhir has consistently backed the opening batter since taking charge in 2024, reinstating him within the side and entrusting him with a brand new role that brought out a few of his finest performances in international cricket.
Here’s a glance for the time being between the 2:
Gautam Gambhir was seen consoling Sanju Samson, after he got dropped ahead of the 2nd T20I
Such a lovely gesture by GG!! #SanjuSamson #ENGvsIND pic.twitter.com/awXDe6lzZL
— CricEnt (@CricentVerse) July 4, 2026
Sanju Samson was named Player of the Tournament on the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup for his match-winning performances within the knockout stages after returning midway through the campaign. While he followed it up with a good IPL campaign, his form dipped significantly during India’s tour of Ireland and England.
Sanju Samson’s 2026 T20I Struggles Proceed With Repeated Low Scores
Sanju Samson began the 12 months on a disappointing note in the house series against Recent Zealand, managing only 46 runs across five matches, which resulted in him losing his place in India’s first-choice XI for the World Cup.
In 13 T20I innings in 2026, Samson has registered single-digit scores on six occasions, including three consecutive low scores in his most up-to-date outings.
Get the newest cricket news here, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more such updates.