<a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/cricket/article/ajinkya-rahane-says-he-never-considered-quitting-kkr-captaincy-in-ipl-2026-23632085" rel="nofollow">Indian cricketer Ajinkya Rahane</a> expressed surprise over the omission of wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson from India's T20I squad for the Zimbabwe tour, saying he hoped the selectors had communicated the decision to the player.
Sharing an Instagram Story, Rahane backed Samson and said he expected the wicketkeeper-batter to return to the national side soon.
"Hope there has been some communication with @imsanjusamson. Find it odd that the hero of our recent T20 WC win has been left out of the T20 squad to Zimbabwe. Hope to see him back in the team soon," Rahane wrote on his Instagram Story.
Rahane's remarks came after the announcement of India's squad for the Zimbabwe T20I series, which did not include Samson despite his contributions during India's successful ICC T20 World Cup campaign.
<a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/cricket/article/stick-to-basics-and-trust-your-hands-to-do-the-rest-23629255" rel="nofollow">Wicket-keeper batter Sanju Samson</a> was the 'Player of the Tournament' during India's T20 World Cup win in 2025. The Indian star started the tournament on the bench but was slotted into the team for the knockout matches.
Samson scored 321 runs at an average of 80.25 and a strike rate of 199. His blistering form included three half-centuries with a high score of 97 not out.
<h2>BCCI announced the squad for the upcoming Zimbabwe tour</h2>
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on July 6 announced the 15-member squad for the three-match T20I series, with Ashok Sharma, Prabhsimran Singh and Yash Thakur earning their maiden India call-ups.
The T20I series between India and Zimbabwe will start on July 23.
India will play the 1st T20I on July 23, the 2nd on July 25, and the 3rd on July 26, all scheduled to be played in Harare. While Iyer will captain the side, <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/cricket/article/vaibhav-sooryavanshi-reacts-after-historic-debut-against-england-23638322" rel="nofollow">teenage sensation Sooryavanshi </a>keeps his spot after playing his first game for India during the ongoing India vs England five-match T20I series. Tilak Varma, on the other hand, will be Iyer's deputy.
India's 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 Yadav, Prabhsimran Singh (WK).
(With ANI inputs)

Veteran batter Ajinkya Rahane expressed surprise over Sanju Samson`s omission from the India squad travelling to Zimbabwe despite his T20 World Cup heroics


Ajinkya Rahane surprised by Sanju Samson’s exclusion from Zimbabwe tour squad

IND vs ENG 3rd T20I: Shreyas Iyer wins toss, elects to bowl first against England

Veteran batter Ajinkya Rahane expressed surprise over Sanju Samson's omission from the India squad travelling to Zimbabwe despite his T20 World Cup heroics


Ajinkya Rahane questions Sanju Samson’s omission from India’s Zimbabwe T20I squad

Trending Stories

Latest Photos

Latest Videos

Latest Web Stories

Mid-Day Fast

Home / Sports / Cricket / Article / Ajinkya Rahane questions Sanju Samson’s omission from India’s Zimbabwe T20I squad