Virat Kohli’s best friend AB de Villiers has said Gautam Gambhir-led coaching staff had no role in star wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson’s success.
Proteas great AB de Villiers feels that Sanju Samson has started to succeed at the international level as he has reached a certain point of maturity and Gautam Gambhir had no role in his purchase.
Sanju Samson Wins Man of the Match in 1st T20I vs South Africa
Indian National Cricket Team wicketkeeper Sanju Samson received the Man of the Match award for his heroics with the bat in the first T20I of the four-match series against the South African National Cricket Team at the Kingsmead in Durban.
Samson emerged as the best batsman of the match and despite losing his opening partner early in the innings, he batted aggressively from day one.
He completed his half-century off 27 balls and looked quite desperate to reach three figures. Samson accelerated further and scored a stunning ton off 47 balls, the fastest by an Indian against South Africa.
He also became the first Indian cricketer in history to score two consecutive T20I centuries. The keeper-batsman was dismissed by Ngabayomzi Peter in the 4th over in the 16th over as Tristan Stubbs took a superb catch near the boundary ropes. Samson returned to the hut after scoring 107 runs off 50 balls with 7 fours and 10 sixes.
I am incredibly proud of this guy – AB de Villiers in Sanju Samson
Legendary batsman of South Africa National Cricket Team AB de Villiers while talking about Sanju Samson mentioned that he is very proud of his Kerala batting and has significantly increased his strike rate.
“Sanju Samson who scored a massive 100. Back-to-back T20 hundreds, absolutely incredible. I’m incredibly proud of the guy, proud because I have a personal connection with him. We’ve been in touch a few times. I’ve always been a big fan of Sanju Samson, just his I love the way he plays and I want him to always be good,” AB de Villiers said on his YouTube channel.
“He scored 100 once against RCB at Chinnaswamy Stadium, I was at the park and that day I realized that this guy is something special and he is proving me right. For those who follow Sanju Samson, I”t often I’ve seen him at a strike rate of over 200, he’s generally more conservative, usually between 140-160, and those back-to-back hundreds were both very quick and especially that last hundred,” he added.
Something has happened in Sanju Samson’s world, be it the coaching staff, I doubt it – AB de Villiers
AB de Villiers emphasized that Sanju Samson sticks to his basics and does not try to play very innovative shots.
“Something clicked there, something clicked in his game that’s absolutely great to watch. The thing about him is that he does it effortlessly. I don’t see a lot of experimentation there. There’s not a lot of creativity in that regard. From the funny shots, it’s clear that he’s the crowd. he doesn’t want to entertain and please anyone, he just stays in his own little bubble and is invisible,” said de Villiers.
AB de Villiers also urged the Indian selection committee to consider Sanju Samson in all three formats and later said the coaching staff played no role in his revival.
“Sanju has picked up the pace in his game. I hope the selectors follow that for all formats. I want to see this guy play all formats. I think he is really special, he can play in all formats. Something has clicked in Sanju Samson’s world all over the world. , whether it’s the coaching staff, I doubt it.
“No disrespect to VVS Laxman, Gautam Gambhir, Ryan ten Doeschate and Morne Morkel. Part of the coaching staff. I just feel this guy has matured, he’s realized something. It’s exciting for all of us. Samson fans, I think there’s another gear, I want to see it open,” he said.
