Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar paid tribute Sanju Samson Ahead of the upcoming Champions Cup 2025.
Manjrekar had earlier backed Sanju Samson over Pant as India's second wicketkeeper-batsman in CT 2025. Pant has been impressive for India in Test cricket so far, winning several matches for his team. However, his records in ODIs and T20Is are not very impressive. However, he has huge potential to turn things around in any format of the game.
On the other hand, Samson has a good record in the 50-plus international matches he has played so far. Recently, he was in excellent form in the T20Is for India and showed how destructive he can be when he gets going.
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Sanjay Manjrekar pays tribute to Sanju Samson
When Sanjay Manjekar was asked about Sanju Samson's motto for his recent success in T20I cricket, he claimed that Samson looks more confident and puts a higher price on his wicket.
“Self-confidence, a little maturity, he values his wicket a little more. He plays a long innings and not just once but repeatedly. Some people bloom a little late and Sanju Samson is like that,” Manjrekar told Star Sports.
Manjrekar also pointed out that Samson is looking to bat for a long time now which is working in his favour. According to him, he was batting well earlier too but the consistency was not there.
“I am a big fan of him now. Earlier he looked like he was batting well but where was the batting. Now the batting is solid anyway, even the batting is there,” the former India batsman observed.
Glad to see the kind of success he is currently enjoying – Sanjay Bangar in Sanju Samson
Meanwhile, former Indian batting coach Sanjay Bangar He was also highly impressed by Sanju Samson and praised the Kerala wicketkeeper-batsman for his ability to hit sixes. Banjar saw that Gautam GambhirThe team management led by giving a longer rope to Sanju Samson has worked in his favour.
“Happy to see the kind of success he's enjoying now. He's been there for a long time. It's just that he's been given the right chances and a good run of chances because every batsman, if he plays three or three four games in a row, that relaxes him a little bit.”
“By doing the order, you don't really have to worry about the situation. The pitch is high and he is a six-hit batsman. He can hit sixes with ease. After Yuvraj Singh, if there is one batsman who can do it 'with such ease on a consistent basis, it has to be Sanju Samson “So just seeing him shoot with all his might is a joy to watch,” Banjar noted.
Samson's excellent record in white-ball formats makes a strong case for Team India in the Champions Trophy. However, he has not played an ODI since December 2023 which could work against his favour.
KL Rahul has a strong chance of being selected in the squad after impressive performances in the middle-order ODI format. Rahul has played 2851 runs in 77 ODIs with an average of 49.15 and a strike rate of 87.56 which makes it difficult for him not to be taken into consideration again.
Rishabh Pant He does not have impressive ODI numbers which could work against him. However, the selectors have shown confidence in the devastating ability of left-handers regardless of format.
Sanju Samson and Rishabh Pant's numbers in ODIs
Sanju Samson has an impressive ODI record with 510 runs in 16 matches at an average of 56.66 and a strike rate of 99.60. The 30-year-old right-hander has hit one hundred and 3 fifties in his ODI career so far.
On the other hand, Rishabh Pant has played 43 ODI matches so far and has scored 2948 runs at an average of 33.50 and a strike rate of 106.21 with 100 and 5 fifties. He featured in India's last ODI played in August 2024 against Sri Lanka.
