After 11 Years Of Highs And Lows, Sanju Samson Finally Takes Centre Stage

Sanju Samson has been the talk of the town in the past few weeks; for a number of reasons. Cutting his teeth in a big way in the IPL for Rajasthan Royals, he promised a lot for the men in blue team. That he has not been able to establish permanency in the team, 11 years after making his debut, has baffled the watchers of the game. Challengers emerged, one by one, after Mahendra Singh Dhoni bid adieu. Rishabh Pant was the main one. He was part of the squad that won the T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies in 2024, but he did not get a game. Fate appears to be scripting the same tale with him sidelined again in the home World Cup, but a twist happens and Samson has become an Atlas ready to take on the heavy burden. That’s what he proved against the West Indies in the Super8 scrap at the Eden Gardens. His unconquered 97 was a single-handed effort that steered India past the troubled waters and finally the finishing line for the tournament semi-final place at the Wankhede. Samson’s blows were of the knockout types, a spell binder to the fans at the City of Joy venue and those watching action on the small screen. Samson was dropped for the opening match against the USA, replaced the ailing Abhishek Sharma against Namibia, but forced his way back as the team reverted to the left-right combination at the top and kept the right-hand finger spinner away in the first 36-ball power play. Samson blasted away to glory at the Eden and the man from the god’s own country, Keralam, took the centre stage. Hopefully he will continue in the same vein!