Ravi Shastri’s voice carried the weight of experience as he lauded Sanju Samson’s heroics in India’s Super-8 triumph over West Indies at Eden Gardens. The former coach sees this as a pivotal moment for the talented batsman.
In his ICC Review appearance, Shastri painted a vivid picture. ‘Sanju is unique, and so was that innings,’ he stated. ‘Calm under fire, patient yet aggressive, with impeccable timing and placement. Explosive when needed, classy throughout. Wickets fell, pressure mounted, but he stayed unshaken before a packed stadium.’
West Indies posted 195/whatever, testing India’s mettle. The chase turned nightmarish with early blows: Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, and Hardik Pandya back in the hut. Samson, however, remained not out on 97 from 50 deliveries, featuring 12 fours and 4 sixes. His efforts sealed a 5-wicket win with 4 balls left, punching India’s semifinal ticket.
‘Expectations have shadowed Samson his entire career,’ Shastri added. ‘Talent aplenty, but consistency lacking—until now. This knockout masterclass delighted fans everywhere.’ Scooping Player of the Match, Samson proved his mettle.
Beyond the boundary, this knocks questions about his spot in the side. As India marches on, Samson’s emergence adds depth and dynamism. The road to the title just brightened.