"I don't think it will be the last time" - Robin Uthappa on Sanju Samson missing out on India's ODI squad against Sri Lanka
Former Indian cricketer Robin Uthappa feels Sanju Samson may have to go through an uncertain patch after missing out on India's ODI squad for the three-match series against Sri Lanka. Samson scored a hundred in his previous ODI in Paarl and yet couldn't make a spot for himself in the ODI team.
Fans on social media had an outburst of anger as many felt Samson deserved to be a part of the squad. However, Uthappa urged the fans to be a bit patient with the new leadership group and the new team management under the coaching of Gautam Gambhir.
Here's what Robin Uthappa was quoted as saying about Sanju Samson by India Today in an interaction arranged by Sony Sports Network:
"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 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."
India's ODI Squad against Sri Lanka: Rohit Sharma (C), Ꮪhubman Gill (VC), Virat Kohli, KL Rahul (WK), Rishabh Pant (WK), Shreyas Iyer, Shivam Dube, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohd. Siraj, Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Riyan Parag, Axar Patel, Khaleel Ahmed, Harshit Rana.
Sanju Samson is not out of contention for ODIs: Robin Uthappa
Robin Uthappa reckons Sanju Samson will eventually get his chances in the ODI squad. However, he feels that whenever the chances come his way, Samson will need to produce consistent performances to warrant a longer rope.
On this, he stated:
"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."
Chief selector Ajit Agarkar was also asked about Samson's exclusion, to which he bluntly responded that not every player could be picked in a 15-man squad. He urged the spectators to also look at the players who were selected and asked whether they deserved to be left out.