Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson has emerged as a strong contender for India’s first-choice wicketkeeper-batsman at the upcoming Twenty20 World Cup, according to his IPL coach Kumar Sangakkara. Samson’s impressive performance in the ongoing IPL season has caught the attention of the Indian selectors, who included him in the 15-man squad for the June 1-29 tournament in the United States and the West Indies.
Samson’s inclusion in the squad is a testament to his consistent performances in the IPL. He is currently ranked third in the tournament’s run-scoring charts with 471 runs in 11 games, behind only Virat Kohli and Ruturaj Gaikwad. Samson’s impressive form has been a key factor in Rajasthan Royals’ success this season, as they currently sit second in the points table.
While Rishabh Pant is also a strong contender for the wicketkeeper-batsman role in the Indian team, Samson’s recent performances have put him in a strong position. In Rajasthan Royals’ match against Pant’s Delhi Capitals on Tuesday, Samson struck a blistering 86 off 46 balls, while Pant managed only 15 off 13 balls.
Sangakkara believes that Samson has made a strong case for himself to be included in the Indian team’s starting lineup for the World Cup. “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 said.
Samson’s excellent form this season is a result of his improved clarity about his batting approach, according to Sangakkara. “With Sanju, the biggest thing about this season for him is having a lot of clarity about the way he should bat,” Sangakkara said. “There are certain stages of the game that he seems to lose a bit of concentration, which we’ve addressed from past seasons.”
Sangakkara also praised Samson’s dedication to his fitness and recovery. “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,” Sangakkara said.
Samson, who has been on the fringes of the Indian team in recent years, has the potential to excel at the World Cup, according to Sangakkara. “He’s a special player and when he’s fresh and focused there’s nothing he can’t do,” Sangakkara said. “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.”
