Sanju Samson’s brilliant knock of 74 off 32 balls in the match against Chennai Super Kings helped Rajasthan Royals register a commendable victory in their first Indian Premier League match of the season. And the young batsman’s performance has won the praise of legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar.
Samson hit fifty runs in just 19 balls, smashing nine sixes and a four during his innings.
“Clean striking by @IamSanjuSamson. They were all proper cricketing shots and not slogs,” Tendulkar tweeted, adding that Lungi Ngidi displayed some smart bowling.
Clean striking by @IamSanjuSamson. They were all proper cricketing shots and not slogs. Smartly bowled by @NgidiLungi. Short,wide and slow. #CSKvsRR
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) September 22, 2020
Former India opener Gautam Gambhir, too, took to Twitter to say that Samson is the best young batsman in India.
“Sanju Samson is not just the best wicketkeeper batsmen in India but the best young batsman in India! Anyone up for debate?” he tweeted.
In another tweet, Gambhir expressed his surprise that the Kerala batsman has not been able to find a place in the Indian team.
“It’s weird that the only playing eleven Sanju Samson doesn’t find a place is that of India, rest almost everyone is ready for him with open arms,” Gambhir tweeted.
Sanju Samson is not just the best wicketkeeper batsmen in India but the best young batsman in India!
— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) September 22, 2020
Anyone up for debate?
It’s weird that the only playing eleven Sanju Samson doesn’t find a place is that of India, rest almost everyone is ready for him with open arms @rajasthanroyals @IPL @BCCI
— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) September 22, 2020
Samson has played only four T20 Internationals and is yet to establish himself in the Indian national side.
In Tuesday’s match against CSK, Samson was declared player of the match following his praiseworthy knock, his performance behind the stumps, effecting two stumpings and as many catches as the Royals won by 16 runs.