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"It is Sanju's special Samson today": Ravi Shastri full of praise for Samson

Monday, 02-Mar-2026 ● 1 hr ago
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Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has heaped praise on Sanju Samson following the opener’s breathtaking knock against West Indies during the T20 World Cup Super 8 match in Kolkata on Sunday. Shastri believes the match-winning innings could mark the beginning of a defining chapter in Samson’s T20 career. Samson rose to the occasion with an unbeaten 97*, steering India to a crucial victory that secured their place in the tournament’s semi-finals. Meanwhile, India, chasing a target of 196, overhauled it in 19.2 overs, registering a five-wicket victory.

"It is Sanju's special Samson today, and that innings was special, because just his calmness, his composure, and just the sublime touch right through that innings," Shastri said on The ICC Review.

"You had everything. You had timing, you had placement, you had explosive power, you had class and what I liked best was even with wickets falling around him, he never lost his cool. He was calm and composed in front of a big crowd.

It was Samson’s highest score of the competition so far, and Shastri highlighted Samson’s maturity at the crease, pointing out how calmly he did the job. Furthermore, the timing could not have been more significant. With a semi-final clash against England looming in Mumbai on Thursday, India will draw immense confidence from the form of their in-form opener.

"This was not a league game. This was a knockout contest. People, their expectations of Samson have been huge right through his career. No one has questioned his talent, but they have been disappointed with his consistency. He brought everything to the fore today and made millions around the globe happy," he said.






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