Sanju Samson has often struggled to secure a consistent place in the Indian cricket team. Despite being a part of the New Zealand series, he faced disappointment when dropped for the Bangladesh tour. However, he has once again earned a spot in the squad for the upcoming ODI series against West Indies. With the absence of Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul, Samson has a golden opportunity to showcase his abilities and potentially solidify his place for the upcoming ODI World Cup.
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri shared his views on Samson’s potential, expressing his belief that the 28-year-old cricketer is yet to realize his true capabilities. Acknowledging Samson as a match-winner, Shastri voiced his disappointment at the thought of the Kerala-born player concluding his career without attaining the status of a star player.
Ravi Shastri emphasized, “Sanju (Samson) is yet to realize his potential. He is a match-winner. There is something that is missing. I will be disappointed if he does not finish his career all guns blazing.” Drawing a parallel to his expectations for Rohit Sharma, whom he coached and witnessed becoming a regular Test player, Shastri revealed his similar hopes for Samson’s growth and impact in the Indian cricket team.
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Considering the current absence of players like KL Rahul, Jasprit Bumrah, Shreyas Iyer, and Prasidh Krishna, Shastri stressed the necessity for team management to maintain a pool of 15-20 players who are consistently prepared. Referring to the 2020-21 Border Gavaskar Trophy, he highlighted the inclusion of Shardul Thakur and Washington Sundar, who played pivotal roles in the fourth Test against Australia at the Gabba.
Ravi Shastri explained, “You have a lot of injuries these days. I always like a pool of 15-20. You should always be prepared, you should have a plan B, plan C. For example, when we went to Australia for that famous series in 2021, we took about 30 players. On the flight, there was Shardul Thakur and I think there was Washi [Washington Sundar], who were chatting with me.”
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He continued, “And I said, ‘This is not a holiday. Do not think this is a holiday where you are a net bowler. You can play any time. So start preparing from day one.’ And, lo and behold, here comes the last Test with no one else to pick. These guys play and do a wonderful job.”
As Sanju Samson gears up for the upcoming ODI series, his untapped potential and the significance of preparedness remain key aspects of discussion. Ravi Shastri’s insights shed light on the expectations surrounding Samson’s development, as well as the importance of maintaining a strong and adaptable player pool to overcome potential challenges.
