NEW DELHI: According to his Indian Premier League (IPL) coach, Kumar Sangakkara, Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson has pressed his case to be named India’s first-choice wicketkeeper-batsman at the Twenty20 World Cup in June.
Samson was included in India’s 15-man squad for the June 1-29 tournament in the United States and the West Indies, but Rishabh Pant‘s selection gives the 2007 winners more alternatives as they attempt to win a second championship.
India’s captain Rohit Sharma and coach Rahul Dravid would have been watching closely when Samson struck 86 off 46 balls in Rajasthan’s 20-run defeat to Pant’s Delhi Capitals on Tuesday.
Pant scored 15 off 13 balls.
“It’s really up to Rahul Dravid and Rohit Sharma and how they see the combination. But he (Samson) has made his case, so hopefully he’ll have a good run in the World Cup,” Sangakkara told reporters.
This season, Samson has been in excellent form, ranking third only to Virat Kohli (542) and Ruturaj Gaikwad (541) with 471 runs in 11 games. With 413 runs from 12 games, Pant is also ranked among the top 10 batsmen.
“With Sanju, the biggest thing about this season for him is having a lot of clarity about the way he should bat,” former Sri Lanka wicketkeeper-batsman Sangakkara added.
“There are certain stages of the game that he seems to lose a bit of concentration, which we’ve addressed from past seasons.
“He’s changed his mindset about the importance of rest and recovery, rather than just training all the time and being tired mentally and physically. The rest is his exceptional ability.”
Samson, who has recently been on the fringes of the Indian team, has the potential to excel, according to Sangakkara, having made the World Cup squad for the first time.
“He’s a special player and when he’s fresh and focused there’s nothing he can’t do,” he added. “He’s a humble, grounded guy… not much on social media. He tends to like a lot of privacy, cares for the rest of the group.”
“Those are great qualities to have apart from talent and skill. I think he’ll be exceptional in that group going to the World Cup.”
(With Reuters inputs)
Samson was included in India’s 15-man squad for the June 1-29 tournament in the United States and the West Indies, but Rishabh Pant‘s selection gives the 2007 winners more alternatives as they attempt to win a second championship.
India’s captain Rohit Sharma and coach Rahul Dravid would have been watching closely when Samson struck 86 off 46 balls in Rajasthan’s 20-run defeat to Pant’s Delhi Capitals on Tuesday.
Pant scored 15 off 13 balls.
“It’s really up to Rahul Dravid and Rohit Sharma and how they see the combination. But he (Samson) has made his case, so hopefully he’ll have a good run in the World Cup,” Sangakkara told reporters.
This season, Samson has been in excellent form, ranking third only to Virat Kohli (542) and Ruturaj Gaikwad (541) with 471 runs in 11 games. With 413 runs from 12 games, Pant is also ranked among the top 10 batsmen.
“With Sanju, the biggest thing about this season for him is having a lot of clarity about the way he should bat,” former Sri Lanka wicketkeeper-batsman Sangakkara added.
“There are certain stages of the game that he seems to lose a bit of concentration, which we’ve addressed from past seasons.
“He’s changed his mindset about the importance of rest and recovery, rather than just training all the time and being tired mentally and physically. The rest is his exceptional ability.”
Samson, who has recently been on the fringes of the Indian team, has the potential to excel, according to Sangakkara, having made the World Cup squad for the first time.
“He’s a special player and when he’s fresh and focused there’s nothing he can’t do,” he added. “He’s a humble, grounded guy… not much on social media. He tends to like a lot of privacy, cares for the rest of the group.”
“Those are great qualities to have apart from talent and skill. I think he’ll be exceptional in that group going to the World Cup.”
(With Reuters inputs)
