Till mid-1990s, the role of a wicketkeeper in cricket was restricted to just be good with the gloves while the contribution with the bat was considered as bonus.
But Australian legend Adam Gilchrist followed by Indian great MS Dhoni completely changed the definition of a wicketkeeper. Apart from being fine glovesmen, the pair made their presence felt with the willow as they consistently piled up runs in all forms of the game.
On Friday (June 12), India’s young wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson talked about his appreciation for Gilchrist and Dhoni.
See Also: "I don't consider myself competing with Rishabh Pant", says Sanju Samson
"Wicket-keepers today are all top batsmen as well. You look around the world, most of the 'keepers are very good batsmen. Adam Gilchrist changed the game for 'keepers coming up the order, MS Dhoni has done likewise in the middle order," Samson told Timesofindia.com.
"It is now almost a norm to have a wicketkeeper who is a very good top- or middle-order batsman, as it helps the team add an extra bowler or all-rounder in the team," he further added.
Dhoni's presence in the middle-order has had a calming influence on the team and that is something Samson wants to emulate.
"MS Dhoni's calmness and focus in tough situations is something that has influenced me. It is something that I would like to inculcate in my game as well and be calmer and more focussed while batting," said the 25-year-old.
Under normal circumstances, Sanju Samson would have played for Rajasthan Royals in the 13th edition of Indian Premier League but the COVID-19 pandemic forced the BCCI to suspend the cash-rich event “until further notice”.
