New Delhi, March 6 – Former India coach Ravi Shastri believes Sanju Samson is mentally stronger when he bats, and this change in mindset is the reason for his good performances in the T20 World Cup.
Samson has been on the fringes of India's best T20I squad in recent years and missed selection during the early part of the T20 World Cup when Ishan Kishan was preferred as opener and Rinku Singh was in favor.
However, the wicketkeeper-batsman has contributed consecutive Player of the Match performances to help guide India into the final of the T20 World Cup against New Zealand, with his most recent innings coming in the knockout semi-final against England in Mumbai, where he struck seven sixes in a superb innings of 89.
Although Samson's improved form has surprised many, Shastri was not surprised as he has noticed a clear change in the right-hander's approach.
"I think he has finally realized and come to terms with the fact that he needs to be more consistent. He has to be wiser with his shot selection, and he has to back his strengths," Shastri said on The ICC Review.
"The thing with Sanju is that he has every shot in the book, but lapses in concentration. I think he has toughened up mentally, and there has never been anyone who has doubted his skill or talent since he made the team.
"What people have been disappointed about is that the run of consistency that should have been there by now isn't there, but he has come of age now," he added.
Shastri further said that Samson's best form is still ahead, given his clearly defined role in the India team.
"He's still just 31 years of age and a genuine match-winner. And when you see shots like (today) being played, there's class, there's touch, there's power, there's brute force. It's just unbelievable," Shastri noted.
Highlighting the recent efforts of fellow opener Abhishek Sharma are of some concern heading into Sunday's final of the T20 World Cup against New Zealand, Shastri believes it's too late to make a change to India's XI, and India should stick with the young opener in the tournament decider against the Black Caps.
"I think they just have to stick with him now. Don't make any changes as the team is having a good run. Stick with that and just tell him to believe in your ability, believe in your strengths, and back your strengths, don't go into a shell where you're tentative or timid.
"We back you, you back your strengths, and go out there and play. The last game might be the best game for you," he concluded.
