Gautam Gambhir Drops Sanju Samson for Final T20I, Picks Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

Indian coach Gautam Gambhir dropped Sanju Samson for the final T20I in Hamilton, naming Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as his replacement. Samson managed only four runs from ten balls, a sharp drop after a half‑century in the series opener at Christchurch, making the three‑match stint largely forgettable. Former India cricketer Ajay Jadeja took to X to say Samson keeps moving to the sixth‑stump line hoping for a full toss, and that New Zealand bowlers have now figured him out and exposed his technique. Gambhir told JioStar ahead of the upcoming West Indies series that the call was the toughest in his two‑year coaching spell, keeping him awake at night, but Vaibhav’s current form and the need for a solid top‑order platform forced the change. He added that he spoke honestly with Samson, who accepted the decision in good spirits.

Context

A batsman's footwork and shot selection can be studied by bowlers after a few games, leading to adjustments in strategy. When a player is dropped despite recent awards, it often reflects a team's priority on current form over past accolades. The decision also signals that India wants a reliable start before the West Indies tour.