The senior selection committee has omitted Sanju Samson from India's squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe, beginning on July 23. While the Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel has not specified whether Samson has been rested, the decision comes only days after he was left out of the playing XI for the ongoing T20I series against England to make way for teenage batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
Samson, who was named Player of the Tournament during India's victorious T20 World Cup campaign earlier this year, struggled for runs during the ongoing UK tour. Across three T20Is in Ireland and England, he managed only six runs.
India squad for Zimbabwe T20I series: Shreyas Iyer (Captain), Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma (Vice-Captain), Ishan Kishan (Wicketkeeper), Shivam Dube, Suryansh Shedge, Rinku Singh, Harsh Dubey, Varun Chakravarthy, Prince Yadav, Yash Thakur, Ashok Sharma, Mayank Yadav and Prabhsimran Singh (Wicketkeeper).
With 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi pushing for a place, Samson came under increasing pressure before eventually being dropped for the second T20I in Manchester, where Sooryavanshi made his international debut.
In another notable selection decision, Punjab Kings wicketkeeper-batter Prabhsimran Singh has been included as the second wicketkeeper in the squad.
The rest of the top-order remains largely unchanged, with Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan and vice-captain Tilak Varma retaining their places in the squad, which will be led by Shreyas Iyer.
Rather than sending a second-string side, the selectors have opted for a near full-strength squad, reflecting the importance of giving consistent game time to a team still evolving under Iyer's leadership.
Among the major selection decisions, Sanju Samson has been left out, while Prabhsimran Singh has been included as the backup wicketkeeper. Shreyas Iyer will captain the side, with Rinku Singh returning to the squad. Shivam Dube and Suryansh Shedge have retained their places, while fast bowlers Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana have been rested. Ravi Bishnoi and Washington Sundar have not been selected, while Mayank Yadav returns and Ashok Sharma and Yash Thakur receive call-ups.
Rinku Singh returns to the national T20I setup for the first time since the T20 World Cup earlier this year, having been omitted from the squad for the UK tour alongside Suryakumar Yadav.
Although Rinku has endured a modest run in T20Is during 2026, scoring 115 runs in eight innings at an average of 28.75, he showed encouraging signs of form towards the end of IPL 2026 with Kolkata Knight Riders.
Meanwhile, Hardik Pandya has not yet returned to international cricket after missing the UK tour because of injury. The all-rounder has been continuing his rehabilitation at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.
Shivam Dube and Suryansh Shedge continue as the squad's pace-bowling all-rounders, while Nitish Kumar Reddy remains unavailable due to injury.
In the pace department, Arshdeep Singh has been rested, while Rajasthan fast bowler Ashok Sharma has earned his maiden India call-up. The 24-year-old impressed during his debut IPL season with Gujarat Titans in 2026, taking six wickets in six matches and attracting attention for consistently bowling above 150 km/h.
Ashok is joined in the pace attack by Prince Yadav, Mayank Yadav, who returns after injury, and Yash Thakur.
Harshit Rana, who recently recovered from an injury, has also been rested for the series.
Varun Chakravarthy will spearhead the spin attack alongside left-arm spinner Harsh Dubey, while Ravi Bishnoi and Washington Sundar have been left out of the Zimbabwe tour.
India will complete the remaining three T20Is against England before travelling to Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe vs India T20I schedule:
1st T20I: July 23, Harare
2nd T20I: July 25, Harare
3rd T20I: July 26, Harare
