Sri Lankan batting legend Kumar Sangakkara has thrown his weight behind Sanju Samson in the race to become India’s first-choice wicket-keeper at the upcoming T20 World Cup. Sangakkara, who has witnessed Samson’s impressive form firsthand as the batting coach for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL, believes Samson has what it takes to thrive on the global stage ahead of Rishabh Pant.
Sanju Samson form catches Kumar Sangakkara eye
Sanju Samson has been in red-hot form for the Rajasthan Royals in the ongoing IPL. He has amassed a staggering 471 runs in just 11 matches, showcasing his explosive batting talent. In addition to his batting prowess, Samson has also displayed impressive wicket-keeping skills, claiming seven dismissals behind the stumps.
Sanju Samson vs Rishabh Pant: H2H battle for WK spot
India has selected two specialist wicket-keepers in their 15-member T20 World Cup squad, sparking a head-to-head battle between Sanju Samson and the returning Rishabh Pant for the starting position.
Sangakkara, a renowned wicket-keeper batsman himself, is confident that Samson can make a significant impact if he gets the nod.
“He’s a special player and when he’s fresh and focused there’s nothing he can’t do,” Sangakkara said of Samson as per ICC.
“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.“
“Those are great qualities to have apart from talent and skill. I think he’ll be exceptional in that group going to the World Cup.”
Kumar Sangakkara commends Sanju Samson mentality
Praising Sanju Samson’s talent and dedication, Sangakkara highlighted his maturity and focused approach as key strengths. He noted that Samson has overcome past inconsistencies by finding clarity in his batting strategies and prioritizing rest and recovery to maintain peak performance.
Key advice for success at T20 World Cup
Sangakkara emphasized the importance of maintaining focus throughout the innings, a skill Samson has been working on improving. He also commended Samson’s commitment to mental and physical well-being, recognizing its crucial role in maximizing his exceptional abilities.
“With Sanju, the biggest thing about this season for him is having a lot of clarity about the way he should bat,” Sangakkara added.
“There are certain stages of the game that he seems to lose a bit of concentration, which we’ve addressed from past seasons.“
“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.”
More on T20 WC:
Can Sanju Samson clinch wicketkeeper spot?
With Sangakkara’s endorsement and his ongoing IPL form, Samson’s chances of securing the coveted wicket-keeper’s spot in the T20 World Cup squad appear promising. However, he still needs to prove his mettle and outshine Rishabh Pant in the remaining IPL matches to convince the India team management.
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