India's Head Coach Gautam Gambhir and Captain Suryakumar Yadav drew sharp criticism from fans on social media after wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson was dropped from the playing XI for the decisive third T20I against Australia on Sunday. The change came amid a 0-2 series deficit following a heavy defeat in the second match at Bengaluru, prompting three alterations to the lineup: Samson, Kuldeep Yadav, and Harshit Rana made way for Jitesh Sharma, Arshdeep Singh, and Washington Sundar. With the series on the line at Bellerive Oval, the decision to bench Samson—despite his recent T20I centuries—ignited debates over team selection and consistency in the post-Rohit Sharma era.

Samson, who had thrived as an opener with three T20I hundreds earlier in the year, was repositioned to the middle order to accommodate Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill at the top. This shift, implemented during the Asia Cup 2025, disrupted his rhythm, yielding scores of 56, 13, 39, 24, and 54 in his last five outings, with a strike rate dipping to 106.95. Gambhir, who once hailed Samson as India's premier wicketkeeper-batter, faced accusations of favouritism toward Gill, the vice-captain and a perceived long-term leader. The move underscored the team's ongoing experimentation under Gambhir's guidance, which began after his appointment in July 2025, prioritising balance over individual form in white-ball cricket.

Social media erupted with frustration, as supporters lambasted the coaching staff for what they termed an unfair ouster of a performer. One fan remarked on X, "Gambhir used to say Sanju is the best WK & batter in India. Not playing him is India’s loss, not his," highlighting perceived hypocrisy after Samson's promotion and subsequent demotion. Others pointed to a pattern, noting, "Sanju is the second player dropped after performing well as an opener... for backing Ghill by GG," reflecting broader discontent with the backing of underperforming openers. Hashtags like #JusticeForSanju trended briefly in India, amplifying calls for accountability amid the high-stakes bilateral series.

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Opting to bowl first after winning the toss, Suryakumar cited favourable batting conditions in the second innings and a desire to take games "one at a time". Australia's Mitchell Marsh, meanwhile, described the pitch as a "belter" and aimed for a big total with Sean Abbott replacing Josh Hazlewood. Jitesh Sharma, known for his explosive finishing with a T20 strike rate exceeding 140, now has a platform to stake his claim, potentially complicating Samson's return if he excels. As India seeks a consolation win to salvage pride before the Champions Trophy, the episode highlights the fine line between tactical rotation and fan expectations in a transitioning squad.

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