Sanju Samson scored a vital half-century to help India secure a 42-run victory against Zimbabwe in the fifth T20I in Harare on Sunday. The win not only sealed a 4-1 series triumph for the visitors but also highlighted Samson’s growing prowess as a cricketer.
Former India opener Abhinav Mukund commended Samson for his mature innings, pointing out that the Kerala wicketkeeper-batter has not always maximized his talent in the past.
Samson’s 58 runs off 45 deliveries were instrumental in setting Zimbabwe a challenging target of 168 runs. The Indian bowlers then effectively bundled out Sikandar Raza’s side for 125, clinching the series convincingly. Reviewing the game on Sony Sports, Mukund emphasized the impact of Samson’s leadership experience in the Indian Premier League (IPL) on his growth as a player.
“It’s a tough place to be Sanju Samson in Indian cricket because with all that talent, sometimes he tends to frustrate you, he doesn’t show the maturity. I feel that’s where captaining in the IPL, like he told me earlier, has really helped him because he plays with superstars but he also deals with youngsters as well like Riyan Parag and Yashasvi Jaiswal,” Mukund elaborated.
Samson’s innings, marked by a solitary four and four sixes, demonstrated his ability to anchor the innings and accelerate when necessary.
Mukund highlighted this aspect, noting, “That’s where you see his maturity as a batter come through. There is immense competition for a wicketkeeper slot in Indian cricket at the moment, and Sanju Samson has just put his hand up today and said ‘Listen, I am still here, so you better not count me out in any of these conversations.’”
Samson’s role as captain of the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL has evidently contributed to his development, helping him navigate the pressures of playing alongside established stars and nurturing young talent. This experience has translated into a more composed and strategic approach in his international outings.
Former Zimbabwe cricketer Tino Mawoyo also praised Samson’s innings, agreeing with Mukund on the player’s evident maturity. Mawoyo highlighted the precision and timing of Samson’s shots, which included two exquisite strokes over extra cover.
“I liked the word you used to describe his innings today – mature, because I thought that’s what he was. We have seen Sanju Samson, we have seen him try and take on spinners early, sometimes it happens and it works out for him, and sometimes it doesn’t. But today, I thought he was magnificent in how he paced his innings,” Mawoyo explained.
Mawoyo’s observations highlights Samson’s understanding of the game situation, as he chose his moments to attack wisely, ensuring he remained at the crease to guide his team.
“He realized that it was important for him at that stage to make sure he batted through the innings and he did that. He played two glorious strokes which he just timed, over extra cover to the spinner and the seamer. When you can play shots like that in T20 cricket, things are going very well for you because a lot of it is wanting to force the ball. He played some really good shots today,” Mawoyo added.
Samson’s partnership with Riyan Parag, which added 65 runs after India found themselves in a precarious position at 40/3, was crucial in stabilizing the innings. The 58-run knock was just Samson’s second half-century in 24 T20I innings, but it was a timely reminder of his potential and the critical role he can play for India.
As India prepares for upcoming challenges, including the white-ball series against Sri Lanka, Samson’s performance against Zimbabwe serves as a significant confidence booster. The team will look to build on this momentum, with Samson aiming to achieve greater consistency and continue proving his worth on the international stage.
