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Cricketing legend Sunil Gavaskar lavished praise on wicketkeeper batter Sanju Samson for his gritty half-century during India's third Asia Cup 2025 Group Stage clash against Oman. Samson, who didn't get a chance to bat in the UAE and Pakistan matches, was promoted to number 3 to get some batting time in the middle ahead of the Super 4 stage. The Kerala-based cricketer was India's highest run-getter with 56 runs off 45 balls, including three fours and as many sixes, that helped the defending champions to post a mammoth total of 188/8 in 20 overs.
However, Samson's strike rate of 124.44 came under the scanner considering the current way of batting in T20Is. However, Gavaskar was highly impressed with him as he grabbed the opportunity and scored a crucial fifty.
"He batted extremely well. He needed to bat for long, and that's what he did, because he might come to bat at No. 4 or No. 5 in the next match, and his batting will be required there. When a batter scores 40-50 runs, he gets confidence as he stands at the ground for a few overs and hits some fours and sixes. His timing was excellent," Gavaskar said on Sony Sports.
Gavaskar further praised Samson's sheer class and timing during his knock against Oman. He also pointed out a particular straight six that underlined Samson’s ability to adjust mid-shot and his rare gift of having multiple scoring options on both sides of the wicket.
"He played a shot where he hit a straight six. The way he waited and hit that six, he checked his shot a little at the last second, it was enjoyable. We get to see his class from that. He has so much time to play the ball. He has so many choices as to where he should hit. Very few batters have that choice whether to hit on the off side or the leg side, and Sanju Samson is one such batter," Gavaskar observed.
India will now face Pakistan in Asia Cup 2025 Super Four clash which will take place on September 21 at Dubai International Stadium in Dubai.
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