Sanju Samson will be exceptional in T20 World Cup: Kumar Sangakkara

Rajasthan Royals head coach Kumar Sangakkara has predicted that Sanju Samson will be exceptional in the T20 World Cup. Samson has been picked along with Rishabh Pant and it will be interesting to note who would be India’s first-choice wicket-keeper in the T20I showpiece.

Samson scored a fine knock of 86 runs off just 46 balls in the run-chase of 222 but his efforts went in vain as they were restricted to 201-8 against Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi on Tuesday.

The RR captain completed his fifty off 28 balls and scored eight fours and six sixes in his blistering knock. However, Samson was dismissed in a controversial way with Shai Hope taking a tight catch at the boundary rope.

Samson has scored 471 runs in 11 matches at an average of 67.29 and a strike rate of 163.54 in the ongoing IPL 2024.

“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 told reporters.

Samson is batting with all the maturity in the ongoing season and has delivered the goods for the Rajasthan Royals.

“With Sanju, the biggest thing about this season for him is having a lot of clarity about the way he should bat,” former Sri Lanka wicketkeeper-batsman 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.”

Samson has made the World Cup squad for the first time in his career and Sangakkara has backed the flamboyant batter to deliver for the national team.

“He’s a special player and when he’s fresh and focused there’s nothing he can’t do,” he added. “He’s a humble, grounded guy… not much on social media. He tends to like a lot of privacy, and 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.”

The inaugural champions will next take on Chennai Super Kings at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai on Sunday.