Abhishek Sharma's poor run with the bat has once again sparked a debate over India's selection policy in T20Is. After another disappointing outing in the Zimbabwe series, many fans and former cricketers have questioned whether the left-hander is getting a longer run in the side than some other players received.
The discussion has largely centred around Sanju Samson, who was dropped from the T20I side despite playing a key role in India's T20 World Cup triumph earlier this year. Many think the two players have been judged by different standards.
Abhishek’s stats post T20 World Cup
Abhishek has had a poor run of form since India's World Cup victory. Since the tournament, he has only been able to make a single half-century, and his recent form has been particularly worrying. In his last six T20I innings, he has failed to score more than 20 runs and has been dismissed for single-digit scores in four consecutive innings.
Despite the dip in form, the Indian team management has continued to back the aggressive opener, giving him an extended run at the top of the order.
The Sanju Samson effect at the World Cup
Sanju Samson’s exploits in the T20 World Cup have added momentum to the comparison. The wicketkeeper-batter was one of India's standout performers, scoring crucial runs throughout the tournament and playing match-winning knocks in the knockout stages. He was brilliant all through and won the Player of the Tournament award.
However, soon after the World Cup, Samson lost his place in the T20I side following a few low scores, leaving many surprised considering his contribution to India's title-winning campaign.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Strengthens His Case
The emergence of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has made India's selection decisions even more interesting.
The young batter enjoyed a dream IPL season, finishing as the tournament's Orange Cap winner. He carried that form into international cricket during the Zimbabwe series, where he scored two half-centuries and finished as the Player of the Series after playing a major role in India's victory.
With Sooryavanshi continuing to score runs consistently, competition for places at the top of India's batting order has become even tougher.
A Bigger Selection Question
The debate is no longer only about Abhishek Sharma's poor form. It has become a larger discussion about consistency in selection.
While Abhishek continues to receive opportunities despite a prolonged lean patch, Sanju Samson was dropped soon after delivering one of the best ICC tournaments of his career.
At the same time, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has made a strong case for a permanent place with his outstanding IPL season and impressive performances against Zimbabwe.
With India's next major assignments approaching, the selectors will have to decide whether current form, past performances, or long-term potential should carry the most weight in team selection.
