India vs Sri Lanka: Robin Uthappa urges Sanju Samson to 'grab those opportunities' after ODI snub

India wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson has had a roller-coaster career in international cricket. He has been in and out of the team on numerous occasions, and more often than not, has struggled for consistency.

Then there is competition for spots. With Rishabh Pant coming back into the team following his horrific car crash in December 2022, the task has been further cut out for the Kerala batter. As was the case during India’s victorious T20 World Cup campaign, wherein Pant played as the No. 3 batter while Samson warmed the bench.

With the ICC Champions Trophy scheduled for February next year, the 50-over format will once again be in focus for the Men in Blue, for whom this will be their first assignment under new head coach Gautam Gambhir . Samson, however, has failed to find a place in India’s ODI squad for the upcoming series against Sri Lanka, despite scoring a century against South Africa in his last ODI back in December last year.

Former India cricketer Robin Uthappa believes that this won’t be the last time that the 29 year-old will go through such a snub. Samson has scored 544 runs from 16 ODIs at an average of 56.66, including one century and three fifties.

“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,” Uthappa told reporters during a virtual media interaction organised by Sony Sports Network.

The 38 year-old feels Samson is not yet out of contention and when he does get his opportunities, the right-handed batter will have to grab it both hands. “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, “ added the former wicketkeeper-batter.

‘It’s going to be a hard one’

Both KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant feature in ODI squad for the Sri Lanka series and it’s going to be a difficult choice for Gambhir and captain Rohit Sharma. KL Rahul has a formidable ODI record (2820 runs from 75 matches at an average of 50.35) whereas Pant is a difference-maker. Pant is returning to the ODI setup for the first time since December 2022, having missed the 2023 ODI World Cup because of the car accident.

“Both have been incredible and their numbers have been really good. Rahul’s numbers in ODI cricket have been exceptional, and Pant has just had an incredible T20 World Cup. His personal journey has been quite incredible over the last two and a half years. So it’s a tough choice. To be in Gambhir and Rohit’s shoes, it’s going to be a hard one,” the former Karnataka player said.

“With this new combination of the leadership group, we need to see who is preferred. As players, every opportunity that comes their way is going to be a really important one and players will have to grab it with both hands. So wishing both of them the best of luck and I hope the best man wins,” added Uthappa.

Suryakumar Yadav was preferred over Hardik Pandya for T20I captaincy and according to Uthappa, the all-rounder shouldn’t be left disappointed with his captaincy snub and explained why.

“If I were in Hardik’s place, I would actually feel taken care of to a certain extent. Because within the Indian cricket ecosystem, a fast-bowling all-rounder is a very rare commodity,” said the former East Zone player.

“If I’m 34-35 years old and I’m someone who’s been injury-prone through my career and a certain responsibility has been taken away from me with the mindset of extending my career and giving me the best chance to offer my services to my country for as long as possible, keeping that in view, I would actually say OK this is the best thing for me,” he stated.

India’s limited-overs tour of Sri Lanka begins with a three-match T20I series in Pallekele on Saturday (July 27). The ODI series will commence on August 2 in Colombo.