Abhishek Sharma’s struggles with the bat in the ongoing T20I series against Zimbabwe have reignited the debate over India’s selection policy, with former India batter Hanuma Vihari questioning whether different players are being judged by different standards.
Abhishek, who has endured a prolonged run of low scores, has continued to retain his place in the playing XI despite failing to make a significant impact. His extended run has prompted comparisons with Sanju Samson, who found himself in and out of India’s T20I side despite playing a key role in the team’s successful 2026 T20 World Cup campaign.
Experts Question India’s Approach
Taking to social media, Vihari questioned the apparent inconsistency in India’s selection policy.
“Why different rules for different players?” the former India batter wrote, suggesting that Samson was not afforded the same backing despite delivering in high-pressure tournaments.
The comments have added fuel to an ongoing discussion around India’s handling of Samson. The wicketkeeper-batter was named Player of the Tournament during India’s triumphant T20 World Cup campaign earlier this year, but subsequently lost his place after a string of low scores in the England series.
In contrast, Abhishek has continued to receive opportunities despite his recent dip in form, leading several former players and fans to question whether the team management is applying different benchmarks to different players.
Vihari’s comments came days after former India captain Kris Srikkanth raised a similar concern while discussing Abhishek’s form.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Srikkanth questioned why Abhishek continues to get an extended run despite struggling, while Samson was dropped after only a few failures. He pointed out that Samson had been India’s standout performer during the T20 World Cup and deserved a longer rope before being left out.
At the same time, Srikkanth clarified that his criticism was not aimed at Abhishek. Instead, he backed the youngster to come good and suggested that the opener should look to spend more time at the crease rather than trying to attack from the outset.
Competition for Places Intensifies
India’s top-order competition has only become fiercer with the emergence of youngsters such as Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. The debate, however, extends beyond individual performances. Critics argue that while young players deserve time to develop, the same patience should also be shown to experienced performers who have delivered on the biggest stage.
With India’s selectors continuing to balance long-term planning and immediate results, Abhishek’s form and Samson’s absence are likely to remain talking points. As India looks to build towards future ICC events, questions over consistency in selection and the criteria used to back certain players over others are unlikely to disappear anytime soon.
