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'Sanju Samson Has Upped His Gear'- AB De Villiers Calls For Sanju's Inclusion In All-Formats

Akshita Patel

Sanju Samson scored a ton against South Africa in Durban T20I [Source: @BCCI/X.com]Sanju Samson scored a ton against South Africa in Durban T20I [Source: @BCCI/X.com]

Following Sanju Samson’s century against South Africa in the first T20I in Durban, former South African legend AB de Villiers heaped praise on the wicket-keeper and batted for his inclusion in all formats. De Villiers noted that Samson’s game has changed, and he has shifted gears, which makes him an impactful player in all conditions.

Sanju Samson’s transition to the top order has produced wonders as the wicket-keeper scored two centuries as an opener. He first slammed a hundred against Bangladesh in October and followed it up with 107 off 50 balls in the Durban T20I against South Africa.

This comes after Samson received his desired batting position and unconditional backing from head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Suryakumar Yadav.

Samson endorsed as all-format player by AB de Villiers

Impressed with his recent form, former South African batter AB de Villiers called for Sanju Samson’s promotion into other formats. 

"Sanju has upped the gear in his game. I hope the selectors are watching this for all the formats. I want to see this guy play all the formats. I think he is someone who is really really special, someone who can play all the formats, in all conditions around the world. I think there is another gear, a sixth gear, I want to see it unfold," AB said.

In a video on his YouTube channel, de Villiers praised Samson’s technical improvement, an essential quality for success in diverse cricketing formats and conditions. Further reflecting on Samson’s evolution, AB noted how the Kerala-born batter has added a more aggressive dimension to his game, with strike rates soaring past 200 in recent innings. 

"For those of you who have followed Sanju Samson, I haven't often seen him bat at a strike rate of more than 200, he is generally more conservative, he is usually between 140-160 and both these hundreds he has scored back-to-back have been very very fast and especially this last hundred." 

ABD also recalled that he shares special personal connection with Sanju Samson and hence the wicket-keeper’s success brings a lot of pride to him.

"Sanju Samson, who scored a massive 100. Back-to-back T20 hundreds, absolutely incredible. Am incredibly proud of the guy, I say proud because I do have a personal connection with him. We have been in touch for a number of years now. I have always been a big fan of Sanju Samson, I just love the way he plays, and I always want him to do well."

Sanju Samson emotional after Durban hundred

Scoring back-to-back hundred as an opener for the Indian cricket team was not on Sanju Samson’s bingo card. But a promotion to the opening slot turned a long-shot dream into reality. As Samson collected the Player of The Match trophy for his hundred in Durban T20I, he recalled past struggles that extended to a decade. Sanju admitted being emotional about his newfound success but also promised to keep his feet grounded and strive to further enhance his performance.