• Home
  • Who Said What
  • Hope He Remembers Wasim Akram Recalls When He Cleaned Up This Ipl Captain

'Hope He Remembers..', Wasim Akram Recalls When He Cleaned Up 'This' IPL Captain

Rajgeeta Yadav

Former Pakistan captain and legendary pacer Wasim Akram [X.com]Former Pakistan captain and legendary pacer Wasim Akram [X.com]

Story continues below ADVERTISEMENT

Former Pakistan captain and legendary pacer Wasim Akram recently reminisced about a memorable encounter during his coaching stint with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the IPL 2010 season. 

Akram, who served as KKR's bowling coach from 2010 to 2016, recalled a net session where he bowled to a 16-year-old Sanju Samson, now a prominent figure in Indian cricket.

Akram fondly recounted the session, highlighting the lack of bowlers in the camp that provided him with the opportunity to bowl. He described Samson as a shy youngster with exceptional wicketkeeping skills who came to bat during the session. 


Wasim Akram recalls when he dismissed Sanju Samson

"I think this incident happened in 2010. I remember KKR had a black kit in 2010. They changed to purple in 2011. So we organized a camp before IPL. Not at Eden Gardens, but on another ground. So there were few bowlers only available for the camp. Sanju Samson came in to bat. He was a very shy boy then. He used to be silent, and his wicketkeeping skills were great. Then, he came to bat as well."

Akram vividly remembered dismissing Samson with a superb delivery after beating him with a couple of outswingers. He even mimicked the sendoff he gave to the young batsman, indicating a memorable moment that stuck with both of them.

"So, I took the ball, and I hope Sanju you remember this. Sanju will remember this. I beat him with a couple of outswingers. I was also young at that time. The third ball I bowled an inswinger and rattled his stumps. So I went and did like this (shows the sendoff he gave by swinging his finger)," he added.

Despite the brief interaction, Akram sensed Samson's potential and predicted a bright future for him in cricket. True to Akram's foresight, Samson has evolved into a quality player, currently leading the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL.