Overview
- Former players including Hanuma Vihari and Kris Srikkanth have publicly criticised India’s selection policy after Abhishek Sharma scored 1 and 8 in the first two T20Is in Zimbabwe.
- Selectors have said Sanju Samson was rested and not dropped, leaving the World Cup Player of the Tournament out of the current playing XI despite his three big knocks and 321 runs at the 2026 T20 World Cup.
- Abhishek’s prolonged slump is measurable with 187 runs in his last 16 T20I innings at about an 11.7 average and multiple ducks, a record that former pundits say should prompt tougher selection choices.
- Team management defends keeping Abhishek for the tactical value he offers as an attacking left-handed opener who can bowl occasional left-arm spin and create left-right matchups in the powerplay.
- The row sharpens a larger selection debate over whether short-term form or role versatility should decide places and increases reputational pressure on the BCCI selection panel as it shapes India’s top order going forward.