'Start winning games for India' - Gautam Gambhir pins his hopes on Sanju Samson's international prospects

Sanju Samson has been riding high on some good form lately. He was back in India’s T20I team in December 2023 and he did not disappoint as he notched up a maiden T20I century against South Africa. He kept the momentum going and carried the purple patch throughout the Indian Premier League 2024. Former India cricketer, Gautam Gambhir has backed Samson to make it big on the international stage as he was selected in the 15-member squad for T20 World Cup 2024.

The 29-year-old will play his maiden ICC event in his 10-year career. He was hell-bent with his performances in the IPL 2024 for Rajasthan Royals. The right-handed batter has been inducted into the World Cup squad as a backup wicket-keeping option for Rishabh Pant. Gambhir urged the RR captain to start winning games for the country as the world will take notice of him in the global event.

"Now that you've gotten picked in the World Cup team, you have that opportunity—the kind that you need to make sure you start winning games for India if you get the chance. You have that experience of playing international cricket. You are not a newbie that you will wait any longer," Gambhir said as quoted by Crickit.

Also Read: T20 World Cup 2024: CSA criticised for picking only one black African in squad

"You have tasted international cricket and you've done well in the IPL, and now you have the chance to play the World Cup. So, hopefully, Sanju shows the world what he is capable of at this stage. International cricket, that too in a stage like the World Cup, when you flourish, the whole world watches and takes note," he added.

Five minutes are enough to figure out what kind of a player he is: Gambhir

Samson was part of the Kolkata Knight Riders squad in 2012 when Gambhir led the franchise to its maiden IPL title. Unfortunately, he had not featured in a single game. Coincidently, now the number one T20I batter, Suryakumar Yadav was also part of the KKR camp and he was released ahead of the auctions as Mumbai Indians signed him. The KKR mentor addressed these releases as something he regrets being associated with.

Also Read: 'Once I am done, you won't see me for a while' - Virat Kohli reveals plans after retirement

"Just the quality of a player. I don't need to see much. Five minutes are enough to figure out what kind of a player he is. Mentally, you always grow, and skill-wise as well. Otherwise, if you get stagnant, you won't be able to survive for too long. The good thing is be it fitness, power-hitting, keeping or captaincy… he has not put a foot wrong. Through captaincy, you start accessing, judging better, reading better. That is when you also become a better batter. I hope Samson's captaincy reflects on his batting at the T20 World Cup if he gets a chance,” he added.