Ashwin Fires Back at Sanju Samson Critics: “Sanju Mera First-Choice”

Key points

1. Sanju Samson’s scores across the five-match T20I series against New Zealand were 67, 14, 18, 4 and 4.
2. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi played two matches in the series, scoring 4 and 45, according to the NDTV report.
3. After Samson was dismissed for four in the fifth T20I, a social media user criticised Ashwin for backing Samson.
4. Ashwin replied: “Sanju mera first-choice, tumhara full-time obsession,” translating to “Sanju is my first choice, he’s your full-time obsession.”
5. Ashwin has previously said Sooryavanshi should be allowed to enjoy his cricket, while head coach Gautam Gambhir has spoken about giving established players a longer run.
6. Gambhir said his responsibility was to take the right decisions rather than popular ones and to maintain security within the dressing room.

Ravichandran Ashwin responded with a pointed one-line message after Sanju Samson came under renewed criticism following India’s fifth T20I against New Zealand. Samson was dismissed for four on Sunday, November 1, 2026, completing a five-match series in which his scores read 67, 14, 18, 4 and 4.

The sequence prompted social media discussion about whether Samson should make way for teenage batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Ashwin, who has publicly backed Samson and urged that Sooryavanshi be allowed to enjoy his cricket, was tagged by a user who questioned his support for the wicketkeeper-batter. The former India spinner answered with a cheeky line that quickly became the focus of the exchange.

Ashwin turns criticism back on Samson’s detractor

After Samson fell for four in the fifth T20I, a social media user addressed Ashwin and wrote: “Hello Ashwin, your first choice Sanju flopped throughout the entire series.” The post challenged Ashwin’s continued support for Samson after the batter’s run of modest scores.

Ashwin responded: “Sanju mera first-choice, tumhara full-time obsession.” The line translates to “Sanju is my first choice, he’s your full-time obsession.” Rather than engaging with the criticism of Samson’s performances, Ashwin’s reply suggested that the user’s repeated focus on the player had itself become an obsession.

The exchange came amid wider debate around India’s selection options at the top of the order. Samson’s final two scores of four followed an opening-match 67, while the discussion also involved Sooryavanshi, who had been given two opportunities during the series.

Samson’s series numbers and Sooryavanshi debate

Samson began the five-match series with 67, but was unable to build on that start. He followed it with 14 and 18 before recording scores of four in each of the final two matches. Those returns led sections of social media to ask whether the young Sooryavanshi should be given a greater role.

Sooryavanshi played two T20Is during the series and scored 4 and 45. His presence has added to the competition for places, but the figures cited in the report also show that he had limited opportunities to establish himself across the five matches.

Ashwin has previously argued that the 15-year-old should be allowed to enjoy his cricket for now. His latest response was consistent with his public backing of Samson, while keeping the exchange focused on the social media criticism rather than turning it into a broader attack on the youngster.

Gambhir explains the value of backing established players

India head coach Gautam Gambhir also addressed selection and the pressure to make changes before the fifth T20I. He said that pleasing everyone was not his responsibility and that his priority was to make what he considered the right decisions, rather than choices designed to be popular.

“First of all, my job is not to make everyone happy. My job is to take the right decisions, not the popular decisions. And that is what I’m there for,” Gambhir told the broadcasters before the match.

Gambhir said that backing players who had performed consistently over a longer period was important for the environment inside the team. He argued that established players deserved a longer rope and that maintaining a sense of security in the dressing room was part of the team’s approach.

He also acknowledged the depth of talent available to India. With players such as Sooryavanshi waiting for opportunities, the team management faces choices about balancing emerging talent with players who have already contributed over an extended period.

Selection discussion continues after the series

Samson’s scores have provided a clear statistical basis for the debate, but the discussion also involves the team’s broader selection philosophy. Sooryavanshi’s two appearances and his scores of 4 and 45 have made him part of the conversation, while Gambhir’s comments indicate that the management values continuity and confidence for players who have delivered over time.

Ashwin’s response did not offer a detailed selection argument. It was a brief social media reply defending his preference for Samson and pushing back at the tone of the criticism. The exchange nevertheless underlined how closely individual performances and selection decisions are being followed by supporters.

For now, the comments from Ashwin and Gambhir show two forms of support for the existing approach: Ashwin’s direct defence of Samson and the coach’s stated preference for taking decisions based on what he believes is right for the team. The debate over Samson and Sooryavanshi is likely to remain part of the conversation around India’s top-order options.