Sanju Samson's Impressive Redemption Story
Sanju Samson has recently been
in the spotlight due to his explosive batting performances. The 29-year-old
right-handed batter notched his second consecutive T20I century with a
spectacular 107-run knock in the first T20I against South Africa. This century,
following his previous 111 against Bangladesh in October, highlighted his
newfound aggressive approach. His innings featured 7 fours and 10 sixes,
propelling India to a comprehensive 61-run victory.
AB
de Villiers' High Praise for Samson
Former South African captain AB
de Villiers, a legend of the game himself, expressed immense admiration for
Samson. In a candid commentary on his YouTube channel, de Villiers said,
"Sanju Samson, who scored a massive 100. Back-to-back T20 hundreds,
absolutely incredible. Am incredibly proud of the guy... I have always been a
big fan of Sanju Samson, I just love the way he plays."
De Villiers recalled seeing
Samson’s talent firsthand when the latter played an exceptional innings at
Chinnaswamy Stadium against RCB. He noted that Samson's transformation in
batting style has been remarkable, as he previously played with a more
conservative strike rate of 140-160. However, his recent innings have showcased
an impressive strike rate of over 200, proving that he has found another level
in his game.
A
Change in Samson's Game
De Villiers pointed out a significant
shift in Samson's approach, saying, "Something has triggered there,
something has clicked in his game which is absolutely great to watch." He
emphasized Samson’s effortless batting, which is devoid of unnecessary gimmicks
or unorthodox shots. Instead, Samson has stayed true to his natural game,
focusing on clean, powerful hitting and maintaining composure under pressure.
The Proteas legend also
highlighted that Samson does not seem preoccupied with entertaining the crowd
with unconventional shots. Rather, he stays in his zone, making his gameplay
appear seamless and enjoyable to watch.
Questioning
the Role of the Coaching Staff
Interestingly, de Villiers
expressed doubt about the involvement of India’s coaching staff, including head
coach Gautam Gambhir, in this turnaround. While acknowledging the presence of
seasoned coaches like VVS Laxman, Ryan ten Doeschate, and Morne Morkel, de
Villiers suggested that Samson's improvement is more of a personal breakthrough
than a result of coaching influence. "I just feel that this guy has
reached the maturity point, he has realised something," de Villiers
remarked. This belief underscores the idea that Samson's current form might be
driven by self-realization and personal growth.
Samson's
Take on Support from the Team
Despite de Villiers' doubts,
Samson credited the coaching staff, including Gambhir and captain Suryakumar
Yadav, for supporting him during difficult times. At the post-match press
conference, Samson shared, “When you have a supporting captain like Suryakumar
Yadav and Gautam bhai and VVS Laxman sir, they all support you during
failures.” He elaborated on how communication from the coaching staff helped
him navigate challenging phases and regain confidence.
Conclusion:
The Promise Ahead
AB de Villiers’ observations
highlight that Samson's current form is a mix of newfound maturity and natural
talent. With a belief that Samson still has "another gear" to
unleash, the future seems bright for the batter, who is making a strong case
for his inclusion across all formats. For fans of Indian cricket, the evolution
of Sanju Samson is indeed thrilling to watch.
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