(Cricket News) Sanju Samson found himself omitted from the recently concluded ODI World Cup in India despite an impressive ODI record of accumulating 510 runs from 16 matches at an average of 56.67. Nevertheless, former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar is confident that Samson’s century against South Africa in the third ODI in Paarl has left an indelible mark, ensuring that the selectors and team management will not overlook his performance.
Manjrekar remarked, “So, what that hundred, that innings and the way he played, has done is, the selectors and the team management will not forget it. And that is the reason Sanju was in the squad against expectation. Whenever there is a need to pick up a 50-over side, Sanju will be very close to the playing 11.”
More than the mere score, it was Sanju’s approach to the innings that showcased significant growth since his last stint with the Indian team. Despite being an experienced player in the domestic circuit and the captain of an IPL side, Samson’s international career had not matched the same standard, even though he made his debut eight years ago. Manjrekar expressed, “Sanju Samson, at this age, after so many years at the first-class level, has come of age at the international level.”
In contrast to his previous ODI innings, where he batted lower down the order, Samson came in at number three on Thursday, facing a somewhat slower wicket. The Rajasthan Royals skipper exhibited excellent application and guided the innings during periods of wicket falls from the other end. During a phase when spinners Aiden Markram and Keshav Maharaj operated together, making runs proved challenging. However, Samson demonstrated composure throughout that period and accelerated in the later overs as the situation demanded.
“I know this was an ODI series, but people will need to remember its result. But the way he batted – came in the fourth over, got to his 100 in the 44th over. That is something people wanted to see from Sanju Samson, and they saw it,” added Manjrekar.
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