The Double Standard: Why is Abhishek Sharma Surviving the Sanju Samson Yardstick?
Sanju Samson was ruthlessly dropped after three failures, yet Abhishek Sharma continues to receive an endless rope despite failing regularly since the World Cup. We demand to know why the BCCI operates with two different yardsticks.
In any elite, high-performance organisation, the quickest way to destroy locker-room trust is by enforcing inconsistent standards. If a rule applies to one player, it must apply to all.
Yet, as India rebuilds its T20 side in the aftermath of the World Cup, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the team management are presiding over a glaring, undeniable anomaly in their selection policy.
When veteran wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson struggled at the top of the order, recording three consecutive failures, the management acted with ruthless speed. The narrative was clear: international cricket is a fast-moving business, the pipeline is packed, and there is no room for prolonged inconsistency. Samson was dropped, and the system moved on.
So why is that exact same yardstick completely absent when it comes to Abhishek Sharma?
The Anomaly of the Endless Rope
Since his initial burst of brilliance, Abhishek Sharma has been failing regularly since the last World Cup. Given the premium opening slot—the easiest phase to bat in modern T20 cricket with fielding restrictions in place—he has consistently failed to convert starts or provide the clinical foundation the team requires.
If we apply the "Samson Rule," Abhishek should have been sent back to domestic cricket weeks ago to rediscover his mechanics. Instead, he continues to walk out at the top of the order, completely shielded from the consequences of his own low-yield output.
Why the special treatment?
The Danger of "Pet Projects"
When selectors, led by Ajit Agarkar, and the chief coach show blatant favouritism, it creates a toxic internal environment.
- For the senior players: They realise that their leash is microscopic compared to the younger favourites.
- For the Pipeline: Players like Ruturaj Gaikwad or Prabhsimran Singh, who are working hard for a chance, watch an underperforming player keep his spot simply because the management wants their "investment" to pay off.
We are not arguing that Abhishek Sharma lacks talent. He is a phenomenal ball-striker with a massive ceiling. But potential does not score runs in the present.
Close-in Catcher’s Take
The Indian team management needs to step in front of a microphone and clarify this anomaly. What are the key performance indicators for an opener? How many failures are permitted before the axe falls?
If three failures are enough to end Sanju Samson’s run, then Abhishek Sharma has long overstayed his current welcome. The BCCI must stop favouritism, apply a single, uniform yardstick, and restore accountability at the selection table.
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