T20 World Cup 2024: Sanju Samson receives threat from Gautam Gambhir ahead of the tournament

As Sanju Samson gears up to represent Team India for the first time in the World Cup, former batsman Gautam Gambhir has given him timely advice.  

After earning his first India call-up way back in 2014, Sanju Samson has finally made it to the World Cup squad for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024. He beat competition from the likes of KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan, Jitesh Sharma, and Dhruv Jurel to make it to the India squad. Apart from him, Rishabh Pant is the other wicketkeeper in the team.

For years, Sanju Samson has been trying to cement his place in the Indian team and he can finally do it by delivering in the World Cup. And ahead of the marquee event, Gautam Gambhir has urged him to start winning matches for Team India. The former India reminded the wicketkeeper-batsman that he is not a newbie anymore and should play like an experienced player.

"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 told SportsKeeda.

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"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.

Sanju Samson's performance in IPL 2024:

Sanju Samson earned the call-up for the World Cup on the back of his performance in the ongoing IPL 2024. He has led Rajasthan Royals from the very front this season and is their second-leading run-scorer. In 13 games so far, he has scored 504 runs with the help of five half-centuries.

Speaking further, Gautam Gambhir heaped praise on Samson for the way he has led his team in the IPL so far. Gambhir also hoped that Samson would make the most of his captaincy experience in the IPL by doing well for Team India in the World Cup.

"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," Gambhir said.

"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.

Meanwhile, Samson-led Royals have already booked their place in the playoffs of IPL 2024. A win over Kolkata Knight Riders in their final league game could also see them finish in the top two.