Former India cricketer Robin Uthappa was critical of the selectors for Sanju Samson's absence in the first two T20Is against South Africa. He also questioned why Samson was dropped down the batting order after the success that he achieved while batting as an opener for India in T20Is last year. Notably, after Shubman Gill was brought into the Men in Blue's T20I set-up during the Asia Cup, he went on to replace Samson as the side's opener alongside Abhishek Sharma.
Uthappa pointed out how Samson had scored three T20I centuries in 2024 and questioned why the team management decided to change the position of an already proven opener. These comments came after India's 51-run defeat to South Africa in the second T20I that saw Gill get dismissed for a golden duck.
"I beg the question: what did the partnership of Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson do so grossly wrong that they had to be replaced? I understand Surya in the pre-series conference where he said Shubman has actually been in the T20 squad before Sanju got his opportunity. But when Sanju did get his opportunity, he got three hundreds," Uthappa said on Star Sports after the match.
"He was the first guy among the youngsters here to get hundreds in T20 cricket. It was after that when Abhishek got it, and after that when Tilak actually got it. So he perhaps even inspired the guys and challenged them, because at that point, they were figuring out who was going to be the next opener for India in T20 cricket. So you have a proven opener, who’s averaging just below Abhishek Sharma at this point, and you decided to move him to the middle order and then slowly leave him out. What wrong has he done? is my question. He deserves to have that opportunity," he added.
Uthappa's blunt verdict on Gill
Uthappa also shared his verdict on Gill's batting approach in T20Is and pointed out the reason why the batter hasn't been able to perform well in the format for quite some time now.
"It’s not working for Shubman at this point, because I also think he’s trying different things. I think he’s trying initially to go toe-to-toe at the same pace that Abhishek is going — that is not how he bats. That is not how he’s been successful in T20 cricket," Uthappa stated.
"How he has been successful is by taking that time, those first 10 balls, absorbing the pressure, getting in, and then once he reaches 15–20 balls, I don’t think there is a batter like Shubman Gill until he gets himself out. That’s the kind of batter he is. And I think that’s what works for him in T20 cricket," he further added.
Third T20I set to be held soon
Meanwhile, the ongoing T20I series between India and South Africa is now level at 1-1. Both the teams will be aiming to take a valuable lead in the series by coming out victorious in the third match that will be held on December 14 in Dharamsala.