'Can’t make same mistake after 10 years' - Ravi Shastri wants Sanju Samson to get into Virat Kohli's game

Sanju Samson has been around the scenes for a while and several cricket experts and pundits rate him highly. For some reason, however, the wicketkeeper-batter hasn’t been able to justify his talent at the highest level. Making his T20I debut in 2015, the 27-year-old has played just 13 T20Is and a solitary ODI so far, which doesn’t include a single half-century.

Samson, however, has been sensational for his Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Rajasthan Royals over the years. The right-handed batter has mustered a plethora of runs over the years and taken RR to many memorable triumphs. Owing to the same, he was even named RR’s captain last year. Speaking of the curious case of Samson, former Team India head coach Ravi Shastri advised the youngster to take a leaf out of Virat Kohli’s book and score consistently.

I see a sense of calmness in Sanju Samson: Ravi Shastri

Notably, Samson has also been accused of losing his rhythm and not delivering consistently. Although Shastri believes the 27-year-old has grown mature, he pointed out the areas Samson still needs to work on. The former all-rounder reckons Samson’s ability to play too many shots has been his nemesis at times.

“When I look at him this season, I see a sense of calmness. That maturity has crept in. I just have the feeling that he might have a good one this year. I feel he will be a lot more consistent this season. He has got a side around him that will make him feel relaxed and continue to play his natural game which is to attack and he can score,” Shastri told ESPNcricinfo.

Meanwhile, Samson was dismissed for a run-a-ball eight against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on Tuesday (April 5). Shastri wasn’t amused with the same and demanded consistency from the batter. “He has been around for a long time. You cannot make that same mistake after 10 years and get out at 20-25. You will have a coach that will come and bang it down your head,” he added.

Shastri then cited Kohli’s example and advised Samson to follow the veteran batter’s mantra of success in T20 cricket. “The way you want to see Samson up the ante is by reading the opposition a little more and then comes the choice of shots. Which are the shots that will be more profitable and then you anticipate that from that particular bowler,” said Shastri.

“This is where Kohli is far more mature, disciplined and in control and hence the bigger scores. If Sanju can get that into his game, reading the opposition a little bit more than just see it and hit it, he will get there. Because he can take off,” he added further.