“I have been dropped after 2-3 poor innings” - Former India cricketer’s brutal claim on Sanju Samson after IND vs SA 2025 3rd T20I

Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif admitted that Sanju Samson would be fighting a feeling of injustice on the sidelines after initially being demoted in the batting order and subsequently dropped from the playing XI. The wicket-keeper batter last played during the second T20I against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, and has now missed six matches in a row.

Team India's faith in their vice-captain, Shubman Gill, at the top of the order, coupled with Jiesh Sharma's impressive glovework and finishing abilities, has made it even tougher for Samson to return to the playing XI.

The team management have continued to persist with Shubman Gill despite his crumbling form at the moment. Ever since his return to the T20I setup, which displaced Sanju Samson as an opener in the first place, the vice-captain has yet to register a fifty.

Mohammad Kaif believes that Team India do not need to specify that they have dropped Shubman Gill from the playing XI altogether, but asserted that a change is of the essence, especially with a World Cup around the corner.

"So, if you want to keep things in control, don't use the word drop (with Gill), just say that you are giving him a break, or want to try out a different player. But they have to go with a new player in these next two matches. Whomever that player is, he deserves those matches, he has the right. He must be thinking Gill is playing for a year, and I have been dropped after 2-3 poor innings. That player is Sanju Samson," Mohammad Kaif said on his YouTube channel.

He further stated that Gill has had his fair share of chances, and since he has not made the most of it, Team India have to make the tough call.

"There may be one or two players, like X Factor players who deserve special treatment in terms of opportunities, but look at Shubman Gill now, how many innings has he got already? It is not like we have started talking about this now, we have been talking about this for quite some time now. You have to take a call now, the time has come," he added.

Shubman Gill continues to be an unconvincing presence in the current Indian T20I setup, with only 291 runs at an average of 24.25 registered since his return during the 2025 Asia Cup. The opening batter was recently dismissed for a golden duck in the second T20I against South Africa in Mullanpur, followed by a sluggish run-a-ball 28 in the next outing in Dharamshala.

"He was told to say that the player has suffered an injury to his finger" - Mohammad Kaif narrates an incident involving Sachin Tendulkar as captain

Mohammad Kaif stated that there is a lack of transparency in the Indian cricket team, as well as modern cricket in general. He outlined how different phrases and excuses are coined to justify a player's absence from the team so that his image and reputation are not tarnished.

"With the Indian team, you don't see things straightforwardly or clearly. Here drop translates to rested, or not feeling well, is anybody checking? The player's respect is maintained with this. When I was playing in the Legends League, one player was not in the playing XI, I will not take the player's name. Sachin paaji was captain, and he was told to say that the player has suffered an injury to his finger or that he has a fever," Kaif recalled.

Team India have made several changes in the recent past as they continue to experiment and try out combinations before landing on the right one ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup.

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Edited by Gokul Nair