‘Doesn’t Feel Right’: Robin Uthappa Questions Sanju Samson Snub… Was Team India’s Biggest World Cup Star Ignored?

The debate surrounding Sanju Samson’s omission from India’s squad for the upcoming T20I series against Zimbabwe is showing no signs of slowing down.

Just days after the BCCI announced the squad, former India cricketer Robin Uthappa publicly questioned the decision, expressing surprise that a player coming off a stellar T20 World Cup 2026 campaign could be left out so quickly.

Samson, who played a crucial role in India’s World Cup success and emerged as one of the tournament’s standout performers, was not included in the squad selected by the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee. Instead, the selectors opted for Ishan Kishan and Prabhsimran Singh as the designated wicketkeeping options for the Zimbabwe tour.

The decision has sparked widespread discussion among cricket fans, with many struggling to understand why a player who recently delivered on the biggest stage would be overlooked.

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Uthappa echoed those sentiments, suggesting that the move lacked consistency and raised questions about the criteria being used for selection.

According to the former batter, performances in major tournaments should carry significant weight, particularly when a player has demonstrated both form and temperament under pressure. For many observers, Samson’s recent achievements appeared to make him an automatic choice for India’s next assignment.

The situation becomes even more intriguing given the timing. Rather than rewarding an established performer, the selectors have chosen to use the Zimbabwe series as a platform for experimentation and squad development.

The approach has opened doors for several players looking to establish themselves at the international level. Prabhsimran Singh has earned an opportunity behind the stumps, while exciting young talents are expected to receive chances in the batting lineup as India continues building depth for the future.

Among the names generating excitement is Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who is widely tipped to partner Abhishek Sharma at the top of the order. The potential opening combination represents part of a broader effort to identify long-term options for the national team.

However, for many supporters, the focus remains on Samson.

The Kerala batter has spent much of his career battling inconsistency in selection despite producing impressive performances whenever opportunities have come his way. His latest omission has reignited a familiar debate about whether he receives the same backing afforded to some of his contemporaries.

While neither head coach Gautam Gambhir nor chief selector Ajit Agarkar has directly addressed the criticism, the decision has already become one of the most discussed selection calls of the season.

Supporters of the move argue that bilateral series provide an ideal environment to assess emerging players, especially after a major global tournament. Critics, however, believe that leaving out a player in peak form sends a confusing message regarding performance-based selection.

As India prepares for the Zimbabwe series, the performances of the selected squad will inevitably come under close scrutiny.

For Samson, the setback may be frustrating, but his recent World Cup exploits have already strengthened his case for future opportunities. Whether this omission proves to be a temporary pause or the beginning of another selection battle remains one of the biggest questions in Indian cricket.