Veteran cricketer Robin Uthappa has voiced strong opinions regarding India’s T20I opening strategy, particularly after Shubman Gill’s recent golden duck against South Africa. Uthappa highlighted the perplexing decision to sideline Sanju Samson, who enjoyed a prolific run in 2024, in favor of Gill. He criticized Gill’s recent batting approach as an opener and stressed the need for clarity in team selection with the 2026 T20 World Cup on the horizon.
The debate intensified following the second T20I in Mullanpur, where Gill’s early dismissal brought renewed scrutiny to the team’s batting order. This change came just months before the next T20 World Cup, despite Samson’s impressive form in the latter half of 2024. Gill had returned to the opening role during the 2025 Asia Cup, but has struggled to make a significant impact, failing to cross fifty in his last 17 T20I innings. This drought has reignited questions about why a successful partnership between Samson and Abhishek Sharma was disrupted.
Samson had been a consistent performer for India post the 2024 T20 World Cup, notching three centuries in just five innings against Bangladesh and South Africa. This remarkable feat made him the first Indian to achieve three T20I tons in a single calendar year, seemingly solidifying his place at the top. Uthappa questioned the rationale behind this decision, suggesting a lack of clear communication with Samson about his future in the team.