Though the 27-year-old couldn’t take India over the road, he scored a scintillating half-century within the first ODI in Lucknow. Importantly, his unbeaten 63-ball 86 made the cricket fraternity speak about whether or not he discovered a spot in that World Cup squad.
Whereas the convenience with which he clears the ropes has received over Samson’s followers, his tendency to hit huge pictures too early in his innings typically led to his downfall, leaving many disenchanted. However in opposition to South Africa, he confirmed he had the persistence to spend his time earlier than liberating himself.
A top-order batsman for Kerala and Rajasthan Royals, Sanju confirmed that he may additionally adapt to the wants of the No. 6 batsman on a pitch that supplied some seam motion and switch. His innings was not with out flaws.
Sanju was responsible of not cultivating the strike within the closing overs when Tailander got here to bat, however his pondering was clear.

Sanju Samson (AP Picture)
“I like spending time on the wicket, particularly in India’s colors. We play to win matches. I missed simply two pictures, a 4 and a six. Shamsi was proving to be a bit costly so we thought we may goal him. I knew he had one over left so if we wanted 24 runs I used to be certain I may hit 4 sixes. So, I used to be taking it deep. That was our plan,” he stated.
Former India Underneath-19 participant Rafi Vincent Gomez, with whom Sanju spends plenty of time coaching again house ThiruvananthapuramConsiders his former teammate’s knock as his finest in India’s colors.
“He confirmed nice maturity. As soon as he hit Shamsi for a six off his first ball within the closing over, the South Africans have been baffled whereas we had 24 extra. They feared Sanju may not pull it off. It confirmed. That is how a lot Sanju has grown as a participant and the opposition is terrified of him.”
Gomez, who’s now the coach of Puducherry within the home circuit, additionally spoke about Sanju’s coaching strategies.
“We attempt to enhance his contact factors (the purpose at which the ball hits the bat) whereas batting. This is a crucial space for a strokemaker like Sanju to work in. We attempt to simulate totally different match conditions to determine what sort of pictures he desires to play in the course of the recreation,” Rafee stated.