IPL 2020: Sanju Samson ‘best young batsman in India’, says Gautam Gambhir; questions BCCI

Sharjah: It rained sixes at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Tuesday (September 22) as Rajasthan Royals (RR) defeated Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by 16 runs in an IPL 2020 match. Sanju Samson was the batting star for the Steve Smith-led side as he blazed his way to a 32-ball 74 with nine sixes and one four. This has earned him high praise from former India left-hander Gautam Gambhir.

Thanks to Samson and Smith’s (69) half centuries, RR posted a mammoth 216/7 in 20 overs. In reply, CSK were kept to 200/6 in their quota of overs.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Samson displayed clean hitting as he smashed the CSK bowlers. Later, he took two catches and effected two stumpings. The 25-year-old later won the Man-of-the-match award.

Applauding Samson’s knock, Gambhir hailed him as the “best young batsman in India” and questioned why he was not in the Indian team.

“It’s weird that the only playing eleven Sanju Samson doesn’t find a place is that of India, rest almost everyone is ready for him with open arms @rajasthanroyals @IPL @BCCI (sic),” Gambhir tweeted.

In another tweet, he wrote, “Sanju Samson is not just the best wicketkeeper batsmen in India but the best young batsman in India! Anyone up for debate? (sic).”

Samson, who made his T20I debut in Zimbabwe in 2015, has so far featured in only four T20Is.