Former India batsman Robin Uthappa believes that India’s upcoming T20I series against South Africa presents a significant opportunity for wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson to consolidate his position in the national team. Sharing his thoughts on Star Sports, Uthappa emphasized that Samson now has a defined role in the team, which he had struggled to find earlier, under the leadership of coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Suryakumar Yadav.

Speaking to JioCinema, Uthappa highlighted how Samson’s steady improvement and high-impact performances have earned him the increasing confidence of both Gambhir and Suryakumar and laid a strong foundation for his place in the T20I squad. According to Uthappa, this support from the team management gave Samson the freedom to play his natural game without the fear of losing his place due to a single poor performance. He praised Samson’s improvement in finding consistency, an area of ​​improvement that fans and pundits have long expected to see from the 29-year-old.

“When you look at his international career, the confidence of the coaching staff and the leadership group has been lacking in the past. There was also uncertainty about where he would fit in… But Yadav, with Gautam Gambhir and Suryakumar, the narrative was clear for him. They defined his role very clearly, The pressure would ease a bit in this series,” Uthappa said.

“He is someone with immense potential and this series will help him consolidate his position in the team,” Uthappa added.

The four-match series, which begins in Durban on November 8, carries high expectations from the fans as Samson, one of India’s leading T20I players, is set to be closely watched. With his explosive knock of 111 from 44 balls in the recent T20I series against Bangladesh, Samson showed his ability as a strong and reliable presence for the batting line-up. His performance made him the top choice at the wicketkeeper-batsman position in the South Africa series; This role could have gone to Jitesh Sharma but now it seems to be in the hands of Samson.

Having struggled to find a regular place for most of his career, Samson now looks set to establish himself as a crucial player for India’s T20I ambitions. Uthappa’s words highlight that Samson’s ability to perform under pressure and his defined role in the team could be key factors in his success against South Africa. For Samson, this series will not only strengthen his role as India’s wicketkeeper-batsman but will also help build momentum for India’s future T20I competitions as he continues to improve under the guidance of Gambhir and Suryakumar.