R Ashwin Picks Sanju Samson Over Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Calls Abhishek Sharma 'Untouchable'
R Ashwin gives a brutally honest take on India's T20I batting selections, asserting Sanju Samson is holding his spot over Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, while Abhishek Sharma's explosive form makes him 'untouchable'.
Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has offered a "brutally honest" take on the ongoing competition for batting spots in India's T20 International squad, particularly highlighting the battle between Sanju Samson and the prodigious Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Ashwin, speaking after India's recent third T20I victory against West Indies, asserted that Samson's current performances are sufficient to hold his place, while unequivocally labelling opener Abhishek Sharma as "untouchable" in the team management's eyes. Abhishek Sharma Becomes Second-Fastest To 400 T20 Sixes, Achieves Feat During IND vs PAK Asian Games 2026 Cricket Gold Medal Match.
R Ashwin on Sanju Samson and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
"I just feel Sanju is doing enough at the moment to keep Vaibhav out of the team. Unfortunately, Vaibhav should be given an opportunity. But what can we do? Such things happen in life," Ashwin, aged 40, remarked on his YouTube channel, 'Ash ki Baat'. He further emphasized the formidable position of Abhishek Sharma: "This battle between the two is going on because the Indian team management and everyone knows that Abhishek Sharma cannot be touched. Abhishek Sharma is an exceptional player. If his bat gets going, he always wins matches for India."
Current T20I Dynamics
The Indian team, led by Shreyas Iyer, is currently embroiled in a five-match T20I series against the West Indies. The third T20I, played on Sunday, October 11, 2026, at the Holkar Stadium in Indore, saw India clinch a 14-run victory, putting them 2-1 up in the series. In this crucial encounter, Abhishek Sharma was the star performer, smashing a blistering 69 runs off just 30 balls, a knock that included six fours and five sixes at a strike rate of 230.
Sanju Samson, aged 31, who opened alongside Sharma, contributed 3 runs off 6 deliveries in the third T20I. However, he had earlier played a significant role in the second T20I in Ranchi on October 9, 2026, scoring an impressive 82 runs off 41 balls, a game which West Indies won by six wickets.
Abhishek Sharma's Stellar Form
Abhishek Sharma, 26, has been in phenomenal form throughout 2026, consistently delivering match-winning performances. His 69-run innings against West Indies marked his entry into the elite 2,000-run club in T20 Internationals, making him the sixth Indian to achieve this feat. He now boasts 2,036 runs in 65 T20Is at an average of 32.83 and a staggering strike rate of 195.95, including three centuries and 14 fifties. This year alone, he has amassed 921 T20I runs in 32 matches at a strike rate of 206.50, equalling Suryakumar Yadav's calendar-year record for sixes with 68 maximums.
Ashwin lauded Sharma's adaptability and upward career trajectory, noting, "He is a fabulous player. He will keep learning little by little. And what I am seeing as a big positive is that he has been scoring runs on difficult wickets over the last two or three months. This tells me that his graph is moving upwards."
The Young Contender: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
Meanwhile, 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, despite being included in India's T20I squads for the West Indies, Ireland, and upcoming New Zealand tours, continues to warm the bench. Ashwin, while acknowledging Sooryavanshi's talent and potential, suggested that the youngster must bide his time in a fiercely competitive environment. Sanju Samson Completes 9000 T20 Runs, Achieves Feat During IND vs AFG 3rd T20I 2026.
Upcoming Fixtures
The current India vs West Indies T20I series will conclude, following which India is slated to tour New Zealand for a five-match T20I series.
| Match | Date | Venue | Start Time (UTC) |
|---|---|---|---|
| IND vs WI 4th T20I | October 14, 2026 | Hyderabad | 7:00 PM |
| IND vs WI 5th T20I | October 17, 2026 | Bengaluru | 7:00 PM |
| IND vs NZ 1st T20I | October 22, 2026 | Christchurch | 7:00 PM |
Ashwin's insights underscore the challenging yet exciting phase Indian cricket is undergoing, with established stars performing strongly and young talents waiting eagerly in the wings. The competition for spots, particularly in the dynamic T20 format, remains intense, promising more thrilling cricket ahead.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 12, 2026 06:28 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).