When you go to Australia, you need that kind of shot-making ability – Rohit Sharma on Sanju Samson

India’s batter Sanju Samson has played some breathtaking knocks in the IPL, which has left the cricket boffins awestruck by his talent.

There is no doubt that Samson has got a lot of ability and he is a treat to the eyes when he gets going. Samson has all the shots in the book and he is a sweet timer of the ball.

The right-hander from Kerala can take the game away from the opposition if he can get settled at the crease. However, the 27-year old hasn’t yet grabbed his chances while playing for the national team.

Samson has been named in the Indian squad for the three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka as Rishabh Pant has been rested. India’s captain Rohit Sharma stated that they will need Sanju Samson’s shot-making ability when they will travel to Australia for the T20 World Cup later in the year.

As the Australian pitches are known to have extra bounce, Rohit reckons the team will need a batter who has a good backfoot play and Sanju certainly has shown the right skills against short-pitched bowling.

“His back-foot play is superb,” Rohit said on the eve of the first game of the three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka.

“Some of the shots you might have seen in the IPL, the pick-up pull, the cut shots, standing and delivering over the bowler’s head. Those kinds of shots are not easy to play. And I believe when you go to Australia [where the next T20 World Cup is], you need that kind of shot-making ability.

“Samson definitely has it in him. I just wish him the best and hope that he utilizes his potential to the maximum.”

Samson has all the talent under his belt and it is time that he makes the most of it. The right-hander hasn’t performed consistently in the domestic circuit but he has played some unbelievable knocks in the IPL.

“We see a lot of potentials, we see a lot of talent, and we see a lot of match-winning ability in that individual. I hope we give him confidence whenever he gets the opportunity to play for us. I hope he understands that”.

The first T20I between India and Sri Lanka will be played at Lucknow on Thursday and Samson is expected to get his chances.