Former Indian opener Kris Srikkanth has lavished praise on Sanju Samson after India lifted their third T20 World Cup title. India defeated New Zealand in the summit clash by a comprehensive margin of 96 runs at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on Sunday and Samson played a major role in taking the team to glory.
Samson returned with scores of 97(50), 89(42), and 89(46) in the virtual quarterfinals, semifinal and final of the tournament, respectively. The right-hander was awarded Player of the tournament after he scored 321 runs in five matches at an average of 80.25 and a strike rate of 199.38.
Srikkanth also praised Jasprit Bumrah and hailed Samson’s mental toughness after the T20I showpiece.
“There are two big lessons here. One – Sanju Samson. Even if you are failing, don’t give up hope. When your time comes, it will take you to a different level. Two – Bumrah – how do you correct yourself, you have to do a bit of soul searching and then come back. Sanju especially, how mentally tough he is, the way he made a comeback. He did not change his game, but a little bit of a shift in mental attitude,” he said on his YouTube channel.
“Sanju Samson, Man of the tournament, amazing for a guy who was out of the team. He came back and scored in the most important matches,” he added.
Meanwhile, Bumrah returned with figures of 4-15 in his quota of four overs in the final against New Zealand. The ace pacer bagged 14 wickets in eight matches of the tournament. Srikkanth praised Bumrah for his precise planning and execution.
“Bumrah is the god of bowling in all formats. He analyzed himself, when to bowl the slower one, how to read the wicket. The way he plans and comes in calmly, this self-analysis is fantastic,” he stated.
The 1983 World Cup-winning player hailed India’s collective effort after the T20 World Cup triumph.“It was a fantastic team effort. Everybody contributed. It was a superb move to bowl Axar Patel at the top. He picked two crucial wickets in the powerplay. This Indian side is one of the strongest T20 World Cup sides I have ever seen. Imagine a 96-run victory in a final? What should I say? too good. They are just dominating T20 cricket. I have never seen this balance and these many dangerous batters,” he said.
India became the first team to win three T20 World Cup titles, the first host nation to win the T20I showpiece, and the first team to defend their World Cup title successfully.
