Gautam Gambhir and Sanju Samson (ScreenGrab)
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s long-awaited India debut finally became a reality at Old Trafford on Saturday, but one of the most eye-catching moments ahead of the second T20I against England had nothing to do with the sensation of the teenager receiving his maiden cap. Soon after India’s squad was announced, television cameras focused on coach Gautam Gambhir having a calm conversation with Sanju Samson on the field. There was no audio of the exchange, and any attempt to explain the discussion would be pure speculation. However, the images had their own significance.
Samson’s omission was not the omission of a player who fell out of favor overnight. He was one of the cricketers Gambhir constantly championed during India’s victorious T20 World Cup campaign, when the wicket-keeper-batsman played a crucial role in lifting the trophy. Earlier this year, Gambhir had gone out of his way to praise Samson after one of his winning performances in the tournament, describing him as a “world-class player” and saying the innings reflected the team’s commitment to supporting him. It also highlighted Samson’s immense talent, composure and the confidence the management has always placed in his ability. These statements made Saturday’s photos even more poignant. The same coach who had repeatedly stood by Samson was forced to drop him as India opted to give Suryavanshi his international debut.
The decision is particularly notable considering Samson’s contribution to India’s World Cup win. He was named Player of the Tournament after producing three crucial innings, performances that proved instrumental in India’s title campaign. Many would argue that India might not have lifted the trophy without those knocks. However, after receiving scores of just 5, 0 and 1 during the current UK tour, his place has come under intense scrutiny. The selection dilemma was made tougher because Ishan Kishan retained the wicket-keeping gloves, leaving Samson to compete only as a specialist top-order batsman. India has tried to resist calls for immediate change. On the eve of the match, the coaching staff talked about rewarding players who had performed well at the biggest level, with Samson’s contributions at the World Cup forming a key part of that argument. The letter noted that the administration was determined not to take a knee-jerk decision despite growing demands to include Suryavanshi. However, by the time the draw took place in Manchester, the management had decided to move in a new direction. Sooryavanshi was handed his India cap and became the youngest player ever to represent the country, surpassing the long-standing record held by Sachin Tendulkar. For the teenage prodigy, it marked the beginning of what many hope will be a brilliant international career. For Sampson, it was another reminder of how quickly fortunes in international cricket change. Just months after being named Player of the Tournament during India’s World Cup win, three low points were enough to cost him his place in the team. The brief conversation with Gambhir before the game perhaps summed this reality up better than words.