Sanju Samson’s Linguistic Flair Enlivens India’s Triumph Over Bangladesh
In a moment of light-hearted camaraderie amidst India’s resounding victory over Bangladesh in the second T20I, wicketkeeper Sanju Samson showcased his linguistic prowess, bringing a touch of humor to the field.
As India secured the series with an emphatic 86-run win, Samson’s playful encouragement stood out. During the 11th over of Bangladesh’s run chase, with Riyan Parag on the mound, Samson, who had been conversing in Tamil with Varun Chakravarthy, seamlessly switched to Bengali to motivate Parag.
“Khub bhalo!” (meaning “very good” in Bengali) echoed from behind the stumps after Mahmudullah took a single, allowing Mehidy Hasan Miraz to take the crease. Commentator Sunil Gavaskar, amused by Samson’s linguistic adaptability, chuckled in the commentary box, acknowledging the keeper’s Bengali skills.
The strategy proved effective, as Miraz, who understands Bengali due to its widespread use in Bangladesh, misjudged Parag’s subsequent delivery. Coming down the pitch, he attempted to reach a wide ball but ended up hitting it directly to Ravi Bishnoi at long-off, leading to his dismissal.
In the same over, Parag’s experimental delivery was called a no-ball for an unusual reason. Attempting to change his bowling style on the fourth ball, Parag tried a peculiar sling action, reminiscent of former India batter Kedar Jadhav’s wide action. However, this attempt backfired as Parag stepped outside the pitch tramlines, resulting in the ball being rightfully signaled as a no-ball.
Samson’s linguistic flair and Parag’s unconventional delivery added a touch of entertainment to India’s dominant performance. The series victory further solidifies India’s position as a formidable force in T20 cricket.
