Is Team India following the same selection criteria for every player? Ahead of the fourth T20I against England, former India batter Subramaniam Badrinath reignited a debate that has already been gaining attention among cricket fans.
Sanju Samson was India’s Player of the Tournament at the 2026 T20 World Cup. However, a few low scores were enough for him to lose his place in the playing XI and later miss out on the Zimbabwe squad. This has raised fresh questions over the consistency of India’s selection process.
In contrast, Tilak Varma has struggled against spin this year. His performances have come under scrutiny, yet he has continued to receive the backing of the team management. He has also been entrusted with the role of vice-captain despite his recent struggles.
This has led to a bigger debate among fans and experts. Why is one player dropped after a few disappointing performances while another continues to receive repeated opportunities? The contrasting decisions have drawn significant attention.
Subramaniam Badrinath openly questioned what he described as “double standards” in selection. He asked why Tilak Varma continues to get a long run despite his inconsistent form and urged selectors to apply the same standards to every player.
Badrinath also praised Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for his talent. At the same time, he questioned whether replacing Sanju Samson was the right decision. According to him, resting Samson is understandable, but leaving him out of the squad altogether appears to be a harsh call.
With India trailing 2-0 in the series, the fourth T20I against England carries added significance. Beyond the result, the match has also intensified the debate over whether player selection is based purely on performance or whether different players are judged by different standards.
