• Home
  • Who Said What
  • Happy For My Thambi Ashwin Reacts As Samson Pips Gill In Indias T20 World Cup Squad

"Happy for my thambi": Ashwin reacts as Samson pips Gill in India's T20 World Cup squad

Jatin

Ravichandran Ashwin and Sanju Samson [Source: @Xxuniverser/x.com]Ravichandran Ashwin and Sanju Samson [Source: @Xxuniverser/x.com]

Ravichandran Ashwin has reacted to India’s squad announcement for the T20 World Cup 2026 and his response carried more than just approval. The former India spinner was visibly pleased to see Sanju Samson finally earn the trust of the selectors, especially after a turbulent phase in T20Is where his role kept changing and his place often felt uncertain.

Ravichandran Ashwin reacts to Sanju Samson’s T20 World Cup 2026 call-up

The Indian veteran’s words resonated with fans who have watched Samson go through a rollercoaster ride in T20 cricket, often shuffled around despite producing results. Ashwin took to X and summed it all up in his trademark style: crisp, emotional and loaded with belief.

“Title defence loading. Superb squad. Great to see Rinku back and happy for my thambi Sanju, who will now rightfully open alongside Abhishek. Adipoli Chetta!”

That one line did more than celebrate selection. It underlined Ashwin’s confidence in the squad and his clear approval of Samson’s role at the top.

An IPL bond that never faded

Ashwin and Samson’s equation goes back to their time together at the Rajasthan Royals. When Samson took over as captain ahead of the 2022 IPL season, Ashwin was part of his core group. One was the leader with the armband, the other a seasoned thinker who had seen it all.

One from Chennai. One from Thiruvananthapuram. Different journeys, same wavelength. That connection has only grown stronger and Ashwin has always been vocal in backing Samson when doubts crept in.

The Samson story full of twists

After the 2024 T20 World Cup and the retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, Samson’s stock rose. He was pushed to open in T20Is and grabbed the chance with both hands.

  • 559 runs in 18 matches
  • Average of 32.88
  • Strike rate of 178
  • Three hundreds and one fifty

Those are serious numbers in any format, let alone T20s. But cricket rarely rewards logic instantly. Samson was soon shuffled down the order, then benched, and eventually dropped as Shubman Gill was backed heavily and even named vice-captain. The door seemed shut again.

Things turned when Gill struggled for form and picked up an injury. Samson got one opportunity in the fifth T20I against South Africa in Ahmedabad. And he made it count with 22-ball 37.

Competition still keeps him honest

Samson’s return doesn’t mean the road is clear. Ishan Kishan is right behind him after a stunning run in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Kishan led Jharkhand to their maiden title and piled on over 500 runs in just 10 matches.

Meanwhile, with Abhishek Sharma set to partner him at the top, Sanju Samson finally has role clarity. If the latest CSK recruit clicks, India’s top order suddenly looks fearless again. And if that happens, Ashwin’s bold “title defence loading” line may not sound like wishful thinking at all.