HYDERABAD: Sanju Samson, who has been in and out of the Indian team, justified the faith of the team management with his maiden T20I hundred in India’s crushing 133-run victory over Bangladesh on Saturday.
Samson has been given opportunities but he failed to cement his place. He has so far played 33 T20Is scoring 594 runs. Before Saturday’s match, he had only two half-centuries to his credit.
Even on India’s tour of Sri Lanka in July, Samson was out for a duck in the second and third T20Is.Indian cricketers are more prone to failure than success in the shortest format especially and it is the mindset that matters. His 47-ball 111 that helped India pile up 297/6 was proof of the aggressive mindset he advocated.
“You have to stay aggressive, keep looking at the scoring options. The risk is high. With the experience of IPL and international cricket, I have learned to cope with pressure and failures,” the 29-year-old said.
The management’s decision to inform him of his role made it clear the cobwebs in his mind. “Three weeks before this series, I was told that I will open. That gave me proper preparation. I went back to RR Academy and played lots and lots of new bowlers. That preparation definitely helped.”
Samson said that he understands his game better now. “I like to fail or succeed in my own way. I just want to be myself. That’s what I have been sticking to from the time I started playing this game. It’s all about being true to yourself,” he added.
‘Can hit six sixes in an over’
If the four consecutive boundaries off Taskin Ahmed set the tone in the second over, the five consecutive sixes off Rishad Hossain in the 10th over changed the complexion of the match.
“I know what I can do to a spinner. For the past one year or two, I have been thinking that I can hit six sixes in an over. I have been working accordingly with my mentor, with my coaches.”
Meanwhile, Bangladesh batter Towhid Hridoy, who made an unbeaten 63, conceded that Bangladesh were no match and lacked in all departments.
