Sanju Samson, despite having an excellent ODI record of 510 runs from 16 ODIs at an average of 56.67, was overlooked in the recently concluded ODI World Cup in India. However, former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar believes the ton against South Africa in the third ODI in Paarl on Thursday will keep the batsman in good stead and the selectors will not “forget” him.
“So, what that hundred did, that innings and the way he played, is that the selectors and the team management will not forget him. That’s why Sanju Samson is in the team against expectations. Whenever there is a need for a selection,” Manjrekar said, speaking on ESPNCricinfo. “A team with over 50 players, Sanju Samson will be very close to playing number 11.”
More than the score, it was the way Samson approached the innings that showed that the batsmen have grown very quickly since he last played for India. Despite being an experienced player on the domestic circuit and captain of the IPL team, Samson’s international career has not been able to reach the same level despite making his debut eight years ago. “Sanju Samson, at this age, after so many years at first-class level, has come of age at international level,” says Manjrekar.
Unlike his previous ODI innings, where he came in lower order, Sampson on Thursday came in to bat at number three and on the wicket, which was a bit slower. The Rajasthan Royals skipper applied himself well and took care of the innings when wickets fell at the other end.
There was a period in the innings when spinners Aiden Markram and Keshav Maharaj were working in tandem and runs were difficult to come by. However, Samson showed composure during the period and accelerated in the later stages of the innings when the situation demanded it.
“I know this was an ODI series, but people will need to remember the score. But the way he batted – he came in at number four, and he reached his hundred in the 44th over. This is something people wanted to see from Sanju Samson, and they saw it,” Manjrekar added. .
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First published on: 12-23-2023 at 05:19 IST