Being named in an India squad is no guarantee of a game. 2026 has shown just how competitive the fight for an actual XI spot has become.
Sanju Samson’s Mid-Series Axing
Fresh off a Player of the Tournament award at the T20 World Cup, Samson was dropped from the XI during the July tour of Ireland and England after managing just six runs in three innings, with teenager Vaibhav Sooryavanshi preferred instead. The full story is in our Samson update.
Jitesh Sharma’s World Cup Snub
Jitesh Sharma had been India’s first-choice T20I wicketkeeper through much of the preceding year, yet lost his place entirely when selectors opted for Ishan Kishan at the top of the order for the T20 World Cup squad, prioritising team balance over incumbency.
Why This Keeps Happening
- India’s white-ball depth means even strong recent form offers no guarantee of a settled XI spot
- Team balance considerations, particularly around all-rounders, frequently outweigh specialist form
- Selectors have shown willingness to make bold in-series changes rather than waiting for a new squad announcement
The Common Thread
Every player who loses a spot becomes part of the story covered in our feature on players fighting to return to the national team, a group that has grown noticeably larger through 2026’s aggressive selection approach.