New Delhi, March 2 – Former India head coach Ravi Shastri believes that Sanju Samson's match-winning innings against the West Indies in the last ICC Men's T20 World Cup Super Eights match at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Sunday could mark a turning point in the opener's career. He also praised Samson for maintaining his composure despite the wickets falling around him.
Samson scored an unbeaten 97, with 12 fours and 4 sixes, leading India to the semi-finals and earning the Player of the Match award for his impressive performance under pressure.
Speaking on The ICC Review, Shastri praised Samson's temperament in the high-stakes match, saying, "Today, it was all about Sanju's special innings. It was a special innings because of his calmness, composure, and exceptional touch throughout."
"He had everything: timing, placement, explosive power, and class. What I liked most was that even as wickets fell around him, he never lost his cool. He remained calm and composed in front of a large crowd."
"This was not just a league game; it was a knockout match. People have high expectations of Samson, and they have been disappointed with his consistency. But today, he delivered everything, making millions around the world happy," he added.
Chasing a challenging target, India found themselves in a difficult position when captain Suryakumar Yadav was dismissed for 18 in the 11th over. Samson then stitched crucial partnerships with Tilak Varma (27) and Hardik Pandya (17) to keep the chase on track. Although the winning runs came in the final over, Samson's control of the match never appeared in doubt.
India will now face England in the semi-final at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Thursday, with Samson's return to form providing a timely boost ahead of the knockout clash.
