Abhishek Sharma attracted a lot of attention by scoring a century with 30 balls in the third T20 match against Afghanistan. However, Sanju Samson also demonstrated his capability despite recent setbacks in tours through England and Ireland, after which he was dropped from the squad. In three matches against Afghanistan, Sanju scored 117 runs, including two half-centuries, with an average strike rate of 180.
Gambhir stated that the decision to exclude Sanju from the squad during the trip to England was the most difficult choice during his tenure as coach. He admitted that it was not easy, considering Sanju's performance before the World Cup. Nevertheless, Gambhir emphasized that the team management sometimes has to make decisions based on players' current form.
In Gambhir's opinion, in T20 cricket, not only runs or wickets taken are evaluated, but also the overall contribution of the player and the team. Therefore, he noted that Abhishek exceeding 100 runs early in the game is a significant achievement, as it is the first time India has scored 100 runs in the powerplay under his coaching. Gambhir urged the team to maintain this aggressive spirit, setting the next goal of scoring 300 runs.
Regarding Sanju, Gambhir clarified another point: the team management was initially firm about returning to the squad that won the World Cup. He argued that a player does not become bad simply because of failures in two or three matches or one or two series. He reminded that India remained undefeated and won the World Cup, moving from one tournament to another, so faith in this team or its players should not be lost after a few setbacks.
Sanju's return in the series against Afghanistan directly affected 15-year-old Vaibhu Suryawanshi, who had to remain out of the starting lineup. Gambhir viewed this not as a blow to Vaibhu, but as part of the waiting process. He reported that the team management is fully aware of Vaibhu's talent and potential. However, he added that a player who consistently performs well over two years will have priority over someone who has just joined the team.
The message was clear: regardless of the player's age—whether 15 or 30—if they have to wait for a chance to play, they must wait. It is this competitive environment in Indian cricket and the presence of such talents in the dressing room that makes the team stronger.