Former Indian cricketer Robin Uthappa has made a strong case for wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson to be a permanent fixture at the top of the order for the Indian team in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026. Uthappa insisted that Samson's place in the playing eleven is non-negotiable and that he should be opening the innings.
Three Key Reasons for Samson as Opener
Uthappa outlined several compelling arguments for his stance. Firstly, he highlighted Samson's exceptional form post the 2024 T20 World Cup, noting his back-to-back centuries in tours to South Africa and Bangladesh. "He motivated young stars who also put their hands up – if Sanju can score one hundred, I could score as well," Uthappa remarked, emphasizing the positive ripple effect of Samson's performances.
Secondly, Uthappa questioned the logic behind breaking the successful opening partnership between Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma. "What wrong did the opening partnership of Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma do for them to get broken? It was a working partnership," he stated. He praised Samson's versatile batting nature, which brings stability to the lineup, coupled with his captaincy experience that helps him react well in tough situations.
Balance and Big-Match Temperament
The third pillar of Uthappa's argument revolves around the balance Samson provides to the side. He pointed to the batter's ability to absorb pressure, specifically citing his crucial partnership with Tilak Varma in the Asia Cup final. "We saw him absorb pressure in the Asia Cup in the finals... and build that important partnership," Uthappa recalled. However, he firmly believes that to maximize his impact, Samson must bat in the top three positions and not lower down the order.
Squad Announcement and Gill's Omission
This debate gains context from the recent squad announcement for next year's T20 World Cup. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Devajit Saikia unveiled the team last Saturday at the board's headquarters, with captain Suryakumar Yadav and chief selector Ajit Agarkar present.
Sanju Samson has been included in the squad and is set to open alongside Abhishek Sharma. Ishan Kishan has been picked as the second wicketkeeper-batter. In a notable exclusion, Shubman Gill was left out amid concerns over his fitness and recent form.
Gill missed the fifth and final T20I against South Africa due to a foot injury he sustained before the fourth match, which was abandoned because of fog. Since his return to the T20 side as vice-captain during the Asia Cup, Gill scored 291 runs in 15 innings at an average of 24.25. His strike rate was over 137, but he failed to register a single half-century, with a highest score of 47.
The selection solidifies the new opening pair of Samson and Sharma, while also marking the return of power-hitter Rinku Singh to the national side. Uthappa's comments add a significant former player's perspective to this major strategic decision for Indian cricket as they build towards the 2026 global tournament.
