Sanju Samson Is A Natural-Born Leader: Kumar Sangakkara

Former Sri Lankan captain and the newly-appointed director of cricket at the Rajasthan Royals, Kumar Sangakkara, has termed Sanju Samson as a ‘natural-born leader’, stating that he is looking forward to working with the talented Kerala batsman.

Sanju Samson will be leading the Rajasthan Royals for the very first time this IPL season. The talented wicketkeeper-batsman from Kerala was appointed as captain ahead of the 2021 IPL auction after the franchise released former skipper Steve Smith following a forgettable season.

”Very excited. He is such a great player and a natural-born leader. He has basically grown up in the RR family. It is really exciting for me and everyone to have him as our leader, as our captain,” Kumar Sangakkara said while reply to a fan’s query on RR’s decision to appoint Sanju Samson as captain.

Sanju Samson will be tasked with the responsibility of resurrecting Rajasthan Royals’ fortunes following a poor season last year where they ended up with a wooden spoon.

Sangakkara admitted that it wouldn’t be an easy season for Sanju Samson and his team but he is confident that a ‘mature young man’ like Samson is more than capable of delivering the goods.

”It is not going to be an easy season, he has a lot on his shoulders. But he is a mature young man, capable of delivering the goods as a leader, and also as one of our leading superstar batsmen,” he added.

The Sri Lankan legend further added that irrespective of the outcomes, it will be important for the team to stick to their philosophy and not compromise on it.

“It is about training really well. About giving them the right information and giving them the confidence and the trust that once we are set on a cricketing philosophy for the season, in the way we play, in the way we relate to each other, in the way we try and execute game plans and to send the message that making a mistake in the pursuit of that is absolutely fine,” the 43-year-old said.

“We learn from our mistakes and move on, but we don’t take a backward step. That conversation, that trust has to be built very quickly this season and it something we won’t compromise on,” he added.

Rajasthan Royals will kickstart their 2021 IPL campaign against the KL Rahul-led Punjab Kings at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on April 12.

Also Read- Everyone Will See An Aggressive KL Rahul In IPL 2021: Wasim Jaffer