Former Team India batsman Robin Uthappa has criticized the selectors for dropping Sanju Samson from the Indian team for the upcoming T20 series against Zimbabwe. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Uthappa questioned the decision to drop the player who played a key role in India’s recent T20 World Cup win.
Samson has been left out of India’s 15-member team for the three-match T20I series in Harare, starting on Thursday, July 23. He was dropped from the playing eleven for the second T20I against England in Manchester, where he was replaced by Vaibhav Suryavanshi after Samson scored just six runs in three innings.
There seems to be a lack of clarity – Robin Uthappa questions Sanju Samson’s omission
Robin Uthappa questioned the selectors after Sanju Samson was dropped from India’s squad for the Zimbabwe T20 series. The former India batsman said that he was surprised when he saw the team for the first time and felt that Samson was treated unfairly. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Uthappa said:
“Everyone knows this is not right. When I first saw the team, I thought it was a fan-made team because Sanju’s name was not there. When I finally realized it was true, I thought to myself, ‘How much will you play with one person?’ “It doesn’t feel right and it doesn’t feel right to anyone.”
“It feels like Sanju is the only one who is treated so harshly. Here’s a guy who won you the World Cup just four months ago. I’m sure he’s been told he’s been rested. But does Sanju deserve to be dropped because of two first-ballers and a failure? That’s my question. It feels like there’s a lack of clarity and everyone is in flux with a lot of reactionary decisions being taken.”
If you can’t feel secure after winning the World Cup, then when?” – Robin Uthappa on Sanju Samson
Sanju Samson was ruled out for the Zimbabwe T20I series and was replaced in the playing eleven against England. The wicketkeeper-batsman has been named in the Shreyas Iyer-led squad for the upcoming Asian Games, but his status remains uncertain.
Robin Uthappa said that dropping a player after such a successful World Cup campaign sends the wrong message to the dressing room. He questioned how players can feel secure about their place if winning the World Cup is not enough to remain in the team long-term.
“His (Samson) selection should not even be discussed, given that he has single-handedly won you the World Cup. It is impossible to understand. When can one feel that I have enough at this rate to remain in the team for the next few years? If you cannot get that feeling even after winning the World Cup for your team, then when?”
Sanju Samson did not get a place in the Zimbabwe team due to inconsistent form.
Sanju Samson has been ruled out of the Zimbabwe T20 series after a disappointing performance with the bat. He scored only five runs in the two matches against Ireland before scoring only one run in the opening T20I against England. Due to poor returns he was dropped from the final eleven and later from the Zimbabwe team.
Despite match-winning performances in India’s 2026 T20 World Cup triumph on home soil, Samson’s overall T20I record has been inconsistent. He has scored 1,405 runs in 65 T20Is at an average of 27.01 and a strike rate of 155.42, which includes three centuries and six half-centuries.
For the three-match series in Harare, the selectors chose Punjab Kings wicketkeeper-batsman Prabhsimran Singh as the backup to Ishan Kishan. The decision reflects the increasing competition for India’s wicketkeeper position, with many young players looking for opportunities.
