Samson has delivered back-to-back Player-of-the-Match performances for India.
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has heaped praise on Sanju Samson after the latter delivered back-to-back Player-of-the-Match performances in the ongoing T20 World Cup.
While the wicketkeeper-batter smashed 50-ball 97 to help India chase down a stiff target of 196 runs with five wickets and four deliveries to spare in the virtual quarterfinal against West Indies at the Eden Gardens, he followed it up with 42-ball 89 to script the home team’s 7-run win over England in the second semifinal at the Wankhede Stadium.
Speaking on the latest episode of The ICC Review, Shastri said Samson seems to have "come of age" after realising the need for consistency and wiser shot selection.
"I think (he is) finally realising and coming to terms with the fact that he needs to be more consistent. He's got to be wiser with his shot selection and he's got to back his strengths. The thing with Sanju is he's got every shot in the book, but lapses in concentration," Shastri stated.
"I think he's toughened up mentally and there's never anyone who's doubted his skill or talent ever since he made the side. What people have been disappointed is that the run of consistency that should have been there by now isn't there, but he's come of age now," he added.
Sanju Samson was overlooked in the early phase of the T20 World Cup, but India decided to make a few tactical changes after losing to South Africa in the Super 8s.
Ever since his return to the playing XI for the Zimbabwe clash at the Chepauk, Samson hasn’t looked back and Shastri believes the Keralite’s best is yet to come.
"He's still just 31 years of age and a genuine match-winner," the cricketer-turned-commentator remarked.
"And when you see shots like (Thursday) that is being played, there's class, there's touch there, there's power there, there's brute force. It's just unbelievable."
On the other hand, Samson’s opening partner Abhishek Sharma has failed to live up to the hype so far, managing just 89 runs from seven innings at an average of 12.71 and a strike rate of 130.88.
However, Shastri suggested the Indian team management to persist with the No.1 ranked T20I batter.
"I think they've just got to stick with him now," Shastri said. "Don't make any changes as the side's having a good run. Stick with that and just tell him 'believe in your ability, believe in your strengths and back your strengths, don't go into a shell where you're tentative or you're timid'.
"We back you, you back your strengths and go out there and play. The last game might be the best game for you," he added.
(With PTI Inputs)