India vs England, 3rd T20I: Team India’s keeper-batter Sanju Samson has been heavily under the spotlight for the last 48 hours or so. After being left out of the XI following the first T20I against England in favour of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Samson was also omitted from the squad for the T20I series against Zimbabwe; however, several reports state that he has been rested. Amid all this, ex-Indian opening batter Sanjay Manjrekar has a piece of advice for the keeper-batter.
India vs England, 3rd T20I: Why Sanjay Manjrekar has advised Sanju Samson to follow Virat Kohli as footsteps?
Manjrekar, one of the most renowned commentators in cricket history, suspects that a fitness issue has kept Samson out of the playing XI. As a result, the 61-year-old reckons if the management is keeping him out because of not maintaining the required physical condition, it is a valid reason. At the same time, Manjrekar reckons he must keep Virat Kohli as his role model for the rest of his career, given the fitness standards the latter has maintained. He took to X and wrote:
“Only reason that is valid for Samson dropping is his fitness. If that’s the reason, it’s a fair call. Samson not helping his cause by not being in peak physical condition. At this stage of his career, Samson must keep Virat as his role model.”
Only reason that is valid for Samson dropping is his fitness. If that’s the reason, it’s a fair call.
Samson not helping his cause by not being in peak physical condition.
At this stage of his career, Samson must keep Virat as his role model.
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) July 8, 2026
India vs England, 3rd T20I: Will Sanju Samson return to the playing XI for Team India?
Meanwhile, India’s misfiring batting line-up that has culminated in a trail of 0-2 in the five-game T20I series against England has seemingly raised the possibility of Samson’s recall to the playing XI. The Men in Blue have struggled against England’s precision and execution, headlined by getting bowled out for 76 in pursuit of 202 in the third T20I at the Trent Bridge in Nottingham.
With Ishan Kishan and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi failing to make a mark, one of them could make way for Samson, while Tilak Varma could also be left out.
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