Sanju Samson continued his red-hot form on Sunday, April 27, leading the Rajasthan Royals (RR) to a comfortable seven-wicket victory over the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). Chasing a target of 197, Samson anchored the chase with a brilliant unbeaten 71 off just 33 deliveries. His knock, laced with seven boundaries and four sixes, showcased his aggressive batting style. Partnering with Dhruv Jurel (52*), who also played a crucial knock, Samson steered the Royals to victory with an over to spare. Their unbeaten partnership ensured Rajasthan secured their eighth win in nine matches.
Hayden calls for Samson's inclusion
Following this dominant performance, Australian cricket legend Matthew Hayden took to the commentary box with a strong message. He urged the Indian selectors to seriously consider Sanju Samson for a spot in the upcoming T20 World Cup squad. Samson's consistent run of form has reignited the debate about wicketkeeper-batsman selection for the national team.
"With Sanju, he always seems to get overlooked for national honours. I honestly been saying this for a decade, I don’t know why because he is a serious hitter of the ball and if you put him up top, he does the damage through the phases. Tonight was the perfect captain’s knock and guess what, he did it in the end," said Hayden, while speaking on Star Sports.
Samson sizzles, Royals Rule, World Cup Watch intensifies
Sanju Samson continues to blaze a trail in IPL 2024. Currently sitting second in the Orange Cap race with a staggering 385 runs in just nine matches, his strike rate of 161.08 speaks volumes about his aggressive batting style. While he's fallen short of a century so far this season, he's already notched up four impressive half-centuries. This stellar performance translates to success for his team as well. Rajasthan Royals, currently at the top of the table with 16 points, are well on their way to securing a playoff spot. Their dominant record boasts eight wins in nine matches, with only one loss marring their near-perfect journey.
However, Samson's sights may be set beyond the IPL trophy. With the T20 World Cup fast approaching, his performances have sparked a heated debate surrounding India's wicketkeeper-batsman selection. He faces stiff competition from established names like KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant.
Rahul, who donned the wicketkeeping gloves in the ODI World Cup last year, sits close behind Samson in the Orange Cap race at the third position, boasting 378 runs in nine matches. Pant, India's previous go-to keeper before his unfortunate accident, has also made a strong comeback in IPL 2024 and currently holds the fourth position with 371 runs in ten fixtures. The upcoming matches will be crucial not just for the IPL standings, but also for the intense competition for a coveted spot in India's T20 World Cup squad.
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