‘He Has Worked So Hard’: Rahul Dravid Applauds Sanju Samson’s T20I Resurgence
Former India head coach Rahul Dravid has expressed immense pride in wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson, praising his perseverance after years of navigating the fringes of the national team. Reflecting on his own career and recent accolades, Dravid highlighted Samson’s grit and historic achievements in the shortest format of the game.
Dravid Reflects on Opportunities and Samson’s Grit
Speaking to Star Sports, the former Indian captain reflected on his coaching tenure and his cricketing journey. “I’m very grateful for receiving the award. Very grateful for the many opportunities that I’ve received in my life,” Dravid noted. “I was lucky to have played with some of the greatest cricketers and been lucky to have travelled the world playing for my country.”
Turning his attention to Samson, who was part of India’s victorious ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 squad under Dravid’s coaching, he expressed satisfaction with the Kerala batter’s breakthrough. “For a long time, Sanju has been in and out of the team. He has performed well, he also has had some tough times,” Dravid explained. “It was just really good to see someone like him who’s worked pretty hard.”
Samson’s Record-Breaking T20I Run
Samson’s late 2024 season was extraordinary. Seizing his opportunity at the top of the order, he became the first Indian cricketer to score consecutive centuries in T20 Internationals. His aggressive stroke play and improved consistency have redefined his international profile.
Recent T20I Centuries by Sanju Samson
| Date | Opponent | Venue | Score | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 12, 2024 | Bangladesh | Hyderabad | 111 (47) | 236.17 |
| Nov 8, 2024 | South Africa | Durban | 107 (50) | 214.00 |
T20 World Cup Benchmarks
Samson’s recent form places him among India’s elite T20 batters. As he continues to build his resume, the benchmarks for global T20 World Cup dominance remain distinctly established by veterans of the game. According to official BCCI archives and ESPN Cricinfo records, these are the current milestones:
- Most Runs in a Single Edition: Virat Kohli scored 319 runs during the 2014 T20 World Cup, maintaining the highest aggregate by any player in a single tournament.
- Highest Individual Score in a Final: Marlon Samuels holds the record with his unbeaten 85 against England in 2016. Kane Williamson matches this exact run total with an 85 against Australia in 2021.
- Most Sixes in a Single Edition: Nicholas Pooran struck 17 sixes in the 2024 edition, setting the modern benchmark.
Looking Ahead
Dravid’s tenure as head coach culminated in India lifting the trophy in Barbados, a team that included Samson. The focus for the wicketkeeper-batter now shifts to maintaining his aggressive opening template ahead of upcoming bilateral series. As Dravid aptly summarized, “It’s really nice to see when it all comes together and the success that he did at such a critical and important phase for Indian cricket.”