IND vs SA: "I've Been Told To Take On The Finisher's Role": Sanju Samson

Updated - 11 Oct 2022, 07:05 PM

Sanju Samson
Sanju Samson. (Photo: Twitter)

The team management urged the wicketkeeper batter, Sanju Samson, to take on the finisher’s role, which is why he has recently been batting at positions 5 and 6.

Samson didn’t make the T20 World Cup roster, but he was chosen for the current ODI series against South Africa.

Sanju Samson
Sanju Samson. Pic Credits: Twitter.

The Indian team’s wicketkeeper batter has been scoring consistently well this year, but Dinesh Karthik and Rishabh Pant were chosen over him for the T20 World Cup. For the past few years, Samson has been in and out of the team because he hasn’t been able to secure a position in the lineup.

Samson will have a hard time breaking into the Indian team’s crowded top order, where players like Suryakumar Yadav and Shreyas Iyer have already cemented their spots. Samson has been asked to fill the position of finisher since Hardik Pandya is the only designated finisher on the ODI team.

Sanju Samson
Sanju Samson. Pic Credits: Twitter.

In the current ODI series against the Proteas, Samson has been in outstanding form. In the first game, he scored an unbeaten 86 runs to push the score to the very last over, but India lost. Additionally, he contributed a crucial 30 runs in the second game that helped India tie the series at one.

I have been practising for different roles: Sanju Samson

Sanju Samson stated that he has been practising various roles for the team and is attempting to pick up tips from players who have previously played the finisher’s role.

“I’ve been practising for various roles.” I’ve spent the last two years working in various teams and adapting to new roles. In the last year, I’ve been assigned to be the finisher. I’ve been learning from previous players and applying what I’ve learned to my own game,” Samson told Star Sports ahead of the third One-Day International against South Africa.

Sanju Samson
Sanju Samson. (Photo: Twitter)

“Physically I have been doing a lot of top-order batting, but mentally I am trying to understand the game and how to react according to the situation, a lot of learning has gone into this. It’s important to keep the focus on the process, that has been the talk in the team meetings,” he added.

India will be facing South Africa in the series decider at New Delhi on Tuesday, 11 October.

Also Read: Kane Williamson Looking Forward To Pakistan Challenge

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India National Cricket Team Sanju Samson South Africa tour of India 2022