IPL 2021: Kumar Sangakkara Backs Sanju Samson And Rahul Tewatia To Be Outstanding Performers In International Cricket

Rajasthan Royals’ director of cricket operations, Kumar Sangakkara, has a massive task ahead of him as the franchise’s IPL 2021 season opener beckons. Rajasthan Royals will open their campaign on Monday against the Punjab Kings at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. But Kumar Sangakkara heaped praises on the Royals’ new captain Sanju Samson and all-rounder Rahul Tewatia and earmarked them to rock the international stage as well.

Keeper-batsman Sanju Samson will lead the side in the upcoming edition, having taken charge from Steve Smith. Samson, who was the leading run-getter for Rajasthan in IPL 2020, has the job of lifting Rajasthan from the bottom of the points table, where they finished last year amid inconsistent performances. On the other hand, Rahul Tewatia was the breakout star in IPL 2020 as he played a couple of game-changing knocks and was handy with the ball.

Kumar Sangakkara backed Rahul Tewatia and Sanju Samson as conquerers on the international stage as they have incredible abilities and cricketing sense. The former Sri Lankan captain underlined that while Samson has been a batting superstar for a long time, Sangakkara believes that he must take it one match at a time to be consistent in scoring runs. The Sri Lankan legend feels that both Tewatia and Samson must have the team’s trust.

“Both Sanju and Rahul are capable of not just being regulars, but great and outstanding performers on the international stage. They have an amazing ability, great cricketing sense, and both of them over the years have really progressed. Sanju has been a young batting superstar in the Indian scene for a long time, but the real key is to understand that there is a process to achieve that ambition and to take it to match by match. Each innings you play in the IPL, the focus should be on that. It is important that both Samson and Rahul have the trust of the team,” Sangakkara told in a virtual press conference.

Everyone is looking forward to starting the tournament: Kumar Sangakkara

The 134-Test veteran backs the Indian contingents to play match-winning roles as much as the England players can. Kumar Sangakkara expects every player to produce game-changing knocks and every player is looking forward towards starting the tournament.

“We have a lot of match-winners, not just English specific. With Sanju Samson, Rahul Tewatia, and our fast bowlers, and the key is to have different players who can do something special on the day. If it’s a different player each time, then that’s even better. Everyone is looking forward to starting the tournament,” he added.

Also Read: IPL 2021: 3 Stars From Punjab Kings Who Can Be Game Changers Against Rajasthan Royals