Sri Lanka Legend Backs Sanju Samson for T20 World Cup Success
Former Sri Lankan cricket star, Kumar Sangakkara, has expressed confidence in Sanju Samson’s potential to excel at the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, should he secure the position of India’s primary wicket-keeper.
Samson has been showcasing his skills in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) as part of the Rajasthan Royals, under Sangakkara’s guidance. The right-handed batsman has accumulated an impressive 471 runs in 11 matches, along with seven dismissals in his capacity as wicket-keeper.
India’s 15-player squad for the forthcoming T20 World Cup includes two specialist keepers. Samson is set to compete with Rishabh Pant, who is making a comeback, for the wicket-keeping role in the tournament, which will be hosted by the USA and West Indies.
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As one of the world’s top wicket-keeper batsmen in recent years, Sangakkara believes that Samson’s performance in the IPL this year indicates his potential to make a significant impact at the T20 World Cup, provided he is selected for India’s team.
“He’s a unique player. When he’s in form and focused, there’s nothing he can’t achieve,” Sangakkara said about Samson. “He’s a humble, grounded individual who values privacy and cares for his team. These qualities, along with his talent and skill, make him an exceptional candidate for the World Cup team.”
Despite being one of the top keeper-batsmen in the IPL in recent years, Samson, 29, was not selected for India at the last T20 World Cup and has only played 25 T20I for his country since his debut against Zimbabwe in 2015.
However, Sangakkara believes that Samson has matured as a player and his changed mindset is helping him maximize his potential.
“The most significant change in Sanju this season is his clarity about his batting style,” Sangakkara noted. “He used to lose concentration at certain stages of the game, which we’ve addressed. He’s also realized the importance of rest and recovery, rather than constant training, which was draining him mentally and physically. His exceptional ability does the rest.”