'I bowled an inswinger and rattled his stumps' - Wasim Akram shares his experience bowling to Sanju Samson

Former Pakistan cricket captain Wasim Akram recently reminisced about a memorable encounter during his coaching stint with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Akram, who served as KKR's bowling coach from 2010 to 2016, fondly recalled an incident from a training camp where he bowled to a young and timid Sanju Samson.

Reflecting on the incident, Akram recounted, "I think this incident happened in 2010. I remember KKR had a black kit in 2010. They changed to purple in 2011. So we organized a camp before IPL. Not at Eden Gardens, but on another ground. So there were few bowlers only available for the camp. Sanju Samson came in to bat. He was a very shy boy then. He used to be silent, and his wicketkeeping skills were great. Then, he came to bat as well," during an interaction on Sportskeeda.

During the practice session, Akram, capitalizing on the lack of bowlers, had the opportunity to showcase his skills against the 16-year-old Samson.

"So, I took the ball, and I hope Sanju you remember this. Sanju will remember this. I beat him with a couple of outswingers. I was also young at that time. On the third ball I bowled an inswinger and rattled his stumps. So I went and did like this (shows the sendoff he gave by swinging his finger)," he added.

Also Read: Abhishek is almost there but I don't think he is ready for the World Cup: Yuvraj Singh

Despite the brief interaction, Akram sensed Samson's potential.

"At that time, he did not get a chance, but I felt that he had the potential to become a good player in the future. He was silent. He was a young kid. When big names are around you, you tend to come under pressure. I was with him for a short time only, but I got that feeling that he can become a good player," he concluded.

Now, Samson is leading the Rajasthan Royals, with the franchise currently sitting at the top of the IPL table. Akram's recollection offers a glimpse into the early stages of a promising career, highlighting the impact a seasoned mentor can have on a young talent's journey to success.