NEW DELHI: Wicketkeeper-batter Saint 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 have announced a 15-member squad for the tour, with Shreyas Iyer named as captain. Teenage opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who recently made his international debut, has retained his place in the team. Rajasthan fast bowler Ashok Sharma also got his first call-up to the senior India team. The pacer had earlier been drafted into the India A squad for the tri-series in Sri Lanka.
Poor run costs Samson his place
Samson has struggled for runs in recent matches.He was dropped from the India playing XI for the second T20I against England after conceding a single run off seven balls in the opening match.Before that, he also had a disappointing series against Ireland, where he scored 0 and 5 in the two T20Is.His omission from the Zimbabwe team comes after a string of low scores despite being one of India’s key players in the shortest format.The exclusion is a big setback for Samson, who played a crucial 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 earns India’s first call-up
Fast bowler Ashok Sharma has been rewarded for his impressive performances with his first call-up to India’s senior T20I squad.The Rajasthan pacer was also recently included in the India A squad for the tri-series in Sri Lanka and will now get 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 WKh Yaram Singh (WK)
The Indian ODI team
The Men’s Selection Committee has 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 Dub Singh and Shi Gurnoor Dub Singh.