'Adipoli Chetta!': R Ashwin endorses ‘rightful opener’ Sanju Samson after Gill axed from T20 squad

Former India international Ravichandran Ashwin has sparked a massive social media reaction with his support for Sanju Samson’s promotion to the opening slot, following the shocking exclusion of Shubman Gill from India’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the 15-member provisional squad on Saturday, headlined by the omission of Gill, who served as the team’s vice-captain during their most recent T20I assignments.

Ashwin, known for his candid analysis on his YouTube channel and social media, took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his approval of the squad’s new look. He specifically highlighted Samson’s inclusion as a move that brings balance and aggression to the top of the order.

Also Read: Why was Shubman Gill dropped from T20 World Cup 2026 squad?

"Title defence loading. Superb squad," Ashwin posted. "Happy for my thambi Sanju, who will now rightfully open alongside Abhishek [Sharma]. Adipoli Chetta!"

The endorsement of Samson as the "rightful" choice follows a period of intense scrutiny over Gill's performance in the shortest format. Despite his high ceiling and recent leadership role, Gill has struggled with a dip in form and a fluctuating strike rate, managing only 32 runs at an average of 10.66 in his last three T20I appearances against South Africa.

Ashwin had previously voiced concerns about the difficulty of dropping a sitting vice-captain, but noted that performances must ultimately dictate the roster. "I am a little concerned," Ashwin said in a recent video. "Shubman is not only the opener but also the vice-captain... but if he does not perform, a decision has to be made."

The selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, appears to have favoured the explosive pairing of Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma for the upcoming tournament. Samson was India’s leading T20I run-getter last year, amassing 436 runs in 12 innings, and has long been a fan favourite for his fearless approach during the Powerplay.

In addition to the Gill snub, the squad saw the return of wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan, whom Ashwin also lauded for "grinding hard in the domestic circuit" to earn his comeback. Axar Patel has been named the new vice-captain under the leadership of Suryakumar Yadav.

India is set to begin its title defence on February 7, 2026. Before the tournament, the team will play a five-match T20I series against New Zealand in January, which will serve as the final proving ground for the new-look opening combination.