Sanju Samson makes case for T20 World Cup selection with 'master class' LSG knock; Raina labels him as ‘pure gold’
Hindustan TimesIf there has been one thing constant in the Indian Premier League over the last five years, it's Sanju Samson kicking his campaign off to a stellar start at least to a half-century score in Rajasthan Royals' first match of the season. On Sunday, in Rajasthan's IPL 2024 season opener against Lucknow Super Giants at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur, Samson carved out a "master class" knock of an unbeaten 82 to not just help his side score 193/4 in 20 overs, but also made his case for T20 World Cup selection. Rajasthan Royals' captain Sanju Samson gestures during the Indian Premier League Twenty20 cricket match between Rajasthan Royals and Lucknow Super Giants at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on March 24 As many as five players are gunning for the wicketkeeper-batter role in India's squad for the ICC T20 World Cup, which begins on June 1 in the USA and West Indies, making it the most competitive spot in the side. With India head coach Rahul Dravid clarifying that IPL will be looked at as a hunting ground for BCCI selectors to pick their final 15 for the World Cup, Samson took his first step towards selection as he smashed a sensational knock of 82* runs off 52 balls, laced with three boundaries and six maximums. #RRvLSG” ‘He is pure gold’ Former India cricketer Suresh Raina, however, reserved the ultimate praise for Samson, who was rather impressed with his hitting abilities in the middle overs.