coach in India Gautam Gambhir addressed the growing debate Saint SamsonAbsence from the T20I side, insisting that the wicketkeeper-batsman remains in the team’s plans despite being left out during the ongoing series against England. Samson’s omission became one of the biggest talking points after India slumped to a record 125-run defeat against England in the third T20I at Trent Bridge on Tuesday. The wicketkeeper-batter, who was India’s Player of the Tournament during their successful T20 World Cup title defence, was dropped for the second T20I, did not feature in the third match and was also left out of the squad for the Zimbabwe tour. After India’s defeat, Gambhir revealed that he had already spoken to Samson about his role in the team, while making it clear that those discussions would remain private. “The first thing is that in terms of the clarity that Sanju Samson needed, it was given that from my side. It is a conversation strictly between the player and the head coach. This conversation does not come out,” said Gambhir. The India coach insisted that Samson’s contributions have not been overlooked, but said current form will continue to influence selection decisions. “As for Sanju, we are very clear what he has done for India has been phenomenal and sometimes you just have to look at the form of a certain actor. There is no hard and fast rule that he cannot make a comeback in this series.” Gambhir also defended India’s selection policy, saying that every player must continue to earn their place in the national side. “International cricket is about results, so whatever we feel is the best combination to give that result, we play that combination and that playing XI. I have always been a big believer that everyone needs to earn their place and the right to play for India.” India’s defeat at Trent Bridge was the biggest ever by runs in T20 Internationals. Chasing 202, the visitors were bowled out for just 76 in 11.4 overs after teenage opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi fell for 13. The collapse gave England a 125-run victory and a 2-0 lead in the five-match series after the opening match was washed out. The result also extended India’s struggles in the format, with the reigning T20 world champions now having lost their last four full T20Is following a 2-0 series defeat in Ireland. Captain Shreyas Iyer he described the batting performance as “atrocious” and admitted that the team needed to “completely come back to the table” after the heavy defeat.