Ravichandran Ashwin has questioned whether outside pressure and social media narratives are influencing India’s T20I selection decisions, lamenting the frequent team changes that have left both Sanju Samson and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi caught in selection limbo during the ongoing England tour.

Sooryavanshi replaced Samson in the playing XI for the second T20I at Emirates Old Stafford on July 4, with the 15-year-old debutant scoring 14 runs. The constant flux between the two batters has sparked debate about team stability and the psychological impact on players caught in the shuffle.

“I’m still telling you Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is an incredible player. If I were the selector, I would have also picked him. But let him take his time. This is called an internship, right?” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin expressed concern about how quickly Samson had been dropped, questioning what the World Cup Player of the Tournament would be thinking and how motivated he would be in training. The former spinner has backed Samson despite his recent poor form, arguing that a player who helped India win the World Cup deserves a longer rope.

“I sometimes thought that I should have played in this era. When I went for the Test tour, a lot of people on social media said Ashwin has to play, how can you drop him? But I still didn’t play in the team. If I was out, they kept me out because the team management knows what is needed for the team. You are saying that you can pick teams by succumbing to social media pressure?” Ashwin said.

If the outside pressure is disturbing the team management, then think about the players: Ashwin

The former Indian off-spinner also warned that the constant selection changes could damage the team’s morale.

“There have been times where I could have played, but there have been times where it was a 50-50 decision, and there were times where it was the right decision. I came to England with very good form, but the coach and captain spoke to me, and then I felt maybe they were doing it for the combination they wanted. It is the team’s decision. The team management is like a temple. If the outside noise is allowed to enter the team, whose fault is it? How can the outside pressure disturb the team? If the outside pressure is disturbing the team management, then think about the players,” Ashwin added.

Most concerning for Ashwin is India’s lack of consistency in team composition. He highlighted the frequent changes in personnel, especially at the top of the order.

“The point is, when you are winning, there is no challenge; the team and the players will perform automatically. But when the team loses, I’m looking at it from this perspective. From the first match against Ireland to the last game, how many games have we played with the same XI? There have been changes in every game. Sanju Samson out, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi out, Sanju Samson in,” Ashwin remarked.

India now turn their attention to Zimbabwe, where they begin a three-match T20I series at the Harare Sports Club, scheduled to be held from July 23 to 26. Vaibhav Suryavanshi is retained for the Zimbabwe squad while Sanju Samson has been dropped, extending the saga of their fluctuating fortunes.

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli returned to the ODI setup for the first time since January, reuniting at the nets ahead of the three-match ODI series against England beginning at Edgbaston on July 14. The moment was captured on social media, showing the duo enjoying their time together during preparations at the England venue.

Both veterans now focus exclusively on ODI cricket and will next be seen in action following the conclusion of the five-match T20I series against England. Their return to the 50-over format marks a significant milestone as they prepare to build towards the ICC ODI World Cup 2027. The England tour provides crucial preparation before the tournament, which is scheduled to be played in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia from October 4 to November 21, 2027.

In their most recent ODI series, India lost to New Zealand 1-2 in January 2026. However, Kohli showcased strong form during that series. In the final ODI at Indore, Kohli struck 124 runs off 108 balls, ending the series with 240 runs in 3 innings. The right-hander also made significant achievements, reaching 28,000 international runs in his 624th innings and becoming the second-highest run scorer in international cricket, surpassing Kumar Sangakkara.

Rohit, meanwhile, struggled in the New Zealand series. The veteran scored 26, 24 and 11 in the three matches but had mixed results in the Afghanistan ODI series before that, with scores of 14, 48 and 79.

Building towards 2027 World Cup with England series

The England tour is critical for both batters, as 2026 is an important year for senior players like Kohli and Sharma with the ICC ODI World Cup 2027 coming up, and if both remain part of Team India’s main ODI plans, they are expected to play most matches in 2026. Kohli was included in the ODI squad despite sustaining a hamstring injury during the IPL 2026 final, though his participation remains subject to mandatory fitness clearance.

The series consists of matches at Edgbaston on July 14, followed by Cardiff on July 16 and Lord’s on July 19. These venues offer distinct challenges and will test the veterans’ readiness for the upcoming World Cup.

Both batters bring vast experience to India’s white-ball setup. Rohit sits third on the all-time ODI century list with 33 hundreds, behind Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar, while Kohli continues to set records across formats.

How did the 5th T20I between England and India go? – Review, Turning Points & more

England sealed victory by 56 runs in the fifth T20I against India at the Rose Bowl in Southampton on Saturday, July 11. With this victory, the Three Lions sealed a 4-0 sweep over the reigning T20 World Cup winners, taking top spot in the ICC T20I rankings. 

Being put into bat, the Englishmen were dented early with the loss of Phil Salt in the second over of the game. Jos Buttler was joined by Harry Brook, and the pair took the attack to the erring Indian bowlers. Buttler took his time to settle but soon joined Brook in the assault as the pair put on a 233-run stand off just 102 balls. Buttler notched up his second T20I century and first in England, falling for 131 off 64 balls. Brook remained unbeaten on 95 off 45 balls as the Three Lions put on a mammoth 257 for 3 in their 20 overs.

The returning Sanju Samson took the attack to the English bowlers and was joined by Ishan Kishan in the middle. The Three Lions kept picking up key wickets, not allowing the team in blue to settle into the game. Kishan scored a well-made 56 off 35 balls to keep India in the hunt but fell to Adil Rashid. Tilak Varma scored a quickfire 25-ball 53, which went in vain as England sealed a 56-run win, restricting India to a score of 201 for 8.

Top batting performance of the match: Jos Buttler

England’s experienced head Jos Buttler finally came to life in this series after a poor start to the series. He took his time to settle before launching a merciless assault on the hapless bowlers. He finished with his highest T20I score of 131 off just 64 balls. His innings was laced with 12 fours and eight sixes, and along with skipper Brook, he put up a 233-run partnership off 102 balls, the highest second-wicket stand in T20Is.

Top bowling performance of the match: Sam Curran

Sam Curran was the pick of the bowlers for England with figures of 3 for 36 from his four overs. He picked up the early wicket of Sanju Samson, who looked in good nick and could have posed trouble for the Three Lions. He came back in the death to pick up the wickets of batting all-rounders Shivam Dube and Suryansh Shedge.

Records Broken and Major Milestones Achieved

• Jos Buttler: Second-highest individual T20I score for England: 131 (64)
• Jos Buttler & Harry Brook: Highest partnership for the second wicket in T20Is: 233 (102)
• Jos Buttler & Harry Brook: Second-highest partnership in T20Is by a full-member side: 233 (102)
• England: Highest T20I total vs India: 257/3
• Adil Rashid: Played in his 150th T20I match
• Most matches lost by India in a T20I series: 4

Who won the Player of the Match and Player of the Series?

England’s Buttler was named the Player of the Match after notching up his highest T20I score of 131, taking the attack to India in merciless fashion.

Skipper Brook was named Player of the Series as the leading run-scorer with 229 runs at a blistering strike rate of 214.02. He scored two half-centuries in the final two games, an unbeaten 79 off just 35 balls in the fourth T20I and an unbeaten 95 off 45 balls in the fifth T20I.

When is the next match?

This was the final match of the T20I series. The first game of the three-match ODI series between the two teams will be played on July 14 at Edgbaston in Birmingham.