Robin Uthappa has opened up and shared his views on Sanju Samson’s Snub from the ODI squad for the upcoming Sri Lanka tour starting this week.
Former Indian cricketer Robin Uthappa has reflected on Sanju Samson’s omission from India’s ODI squad for the Sri Lanka series. He suggested that this will be not the first time Sanju Samson faces and also highlighted that it will be not the last time.
He said that the change in leadership with Gautam Gambhir taking over the role of India’s head coach is the main reason for this omission. Samson has been named in the T20I squad but has missed the spot in the ODI squad.
Samson has impressive stats in a recent outing where he smashed his maiden ODI hundred during India’s tour of South Africa in December last year. Uthappa said that the leadership group should give some time for the player to settle down.
“From Sanju’s perspective, this is not the first time he has gone through it? I don’t think it will be the last time he will go through it as a player, but Sanju’s one-day numbers have been quite incredible.”
“I think, again, with changes in the leadership group or changes within the leadership group. Things have to kind of settle down a little bit and we as fans and supporters of the Indian cricket team have to give that space to kind of settle down as well,” said in an interaction with media.
Uthappa further emphasized that Samson is not out of contention for the ODI squad saying needs something needed to be given time.
“So, I think Sanju is not out of contention as with any other player. I think. It’s a matter of time, and he will get his opportunity, but when the opportunities do come, he will have to grab those opportunities to make sure he steps up with solid performances that keep him in the running.”
MP Shahi Tharoor had also come out supporting Samson, alongside Ruturaj Gaikwad and Abhishek Sharma after their exclusion from India’s squad for the Sri Lanka tour. During the press conference, BCCI selector’s chairman Ajit Agarkar also admitted that it is not easy to fit everyone in the squad.
Coming to the present, the India team alongside Gautam Gambhir has landed in Sri Lanka after Gambhir confirmed Abhishek Nayar and Ryan ten Doeschate were appointed as assistant coaches. With Sri Lanka Cricket named their T20I squad, Suryakumar-led T20I squad will play the first T20I match of the tour on July 27 at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.
