The former India star is a proud fanboy of Sanju Samson

Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has praised Sanju Samson before the next Champions Trophy 2025.

Manjrekar had earlier backed Sanju Samson over Pant as India’s second wicket-keeper for CT 2025. Pant has been brilliant for India in Test cricket so far, winning many matches for his team. However, his records in ODIs and T20Is are not too impressive. However, it has immense potential to change things in any format of the game.

On the other hand, Samson has a good ODI record in the 50 limited overs internationals he has played so far. He has been in excellent form in T20Is for India recently and has shown how destructive he can be when he gets going.

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Sanjay Manjrekar greets Sanju Samson

When asked about Sanju Samson’s mantra for his recent success in T20I cricket, Sanjay Manjekar stated that Samson looks more confident and is putting more value on his wicket.

“Self-confidence, slight maturity, and he’s valuing his wicket a bit more. He’s playing long innings and not just one, but repeatedly. Some people are a bit late bloomers and Sanju Samson is like that,” Manjrekar told Star Sports .

Manjrekar further noted that Samson is looking to bat long, which is working for him. According to him, he was also batting well earlier but the consistency was not there.

“I am a big fan of him now. Earlier he seemed to be batting well, but where were the runs. Now the batting is powerful, even the runs are there,” observed the former India batsman.

Glad to see the kind of success he is currently blessed with – Sanjay Bangar to Sanju Samson

Meanwhile, former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar He has also been very impressed with Sanju Samson and praised the Kerala wicketkeeper-batsman for his six-hit ability. Bangar opined that Gautam GambhirThe team management directed by giving a longer rope to Sanju Samson has worked in their favour.

“I’m glad to see the kind of success that he’s been blessed with right now. He’s been there for a long time. It’s just that he’s got the right opportunities and a good streak of opportunities because every hitter, whether he plays three or three, four games in a row, that frees him up a bit,” he said.

“In the batting order, he doesn’t really have to worry about the situation. The pitch is up and he’s a sixer. He can hit sixes with ease. After Yuvraj Singh, if there’s a batsman who can do that. With such ease consistently, it has to be Sanju Samson, so just seeing him firing on all cylinders is a treat,” observed Bangar.

Samson’s excellent record in white-ball formats makes a strong case for India’s selection in the Champions Trophy. However, he has not played an ODI since December 2023 which may work against his favour.

KL Rahul has a good chance of being selected in the squad after some impressive performances in the ODI format in the middle order. Rahul has played 2851 runs in 77 ODIs at an average of 49.15 and a strike rate of 87.56, making it difficult for him not to be considered again.

Rishabh pants he doesn’t have impressive ODI numbers that can work against him. However, the selectors have shown confidence in the left-hander’s devastating ability, regardless of format.

Sanju Samson and Rishabh Pant’s numbers in ODIs

Sanju Samson has an impressive ODI record of 510 runs in 16 matches at an average of 56.66 and a strike rate of 99.60. The 30-year-old right-hander has scored 103 fifties in his ODI career so far.

On the other hand, Rishabh Pant has so far played 43 ODIs and has scored 2948 runs at an average of 33.50 and a strike rate of 106.21 with 1-55. He featured in India’s last ODI played in August 2024 against Sri Lanka.