Sri Lanka tour of India: Kumar Sangakkara said that he wants to see Sanju Samson getting a long run in team India. Samson has been named in India’s squad for the T20Is against Sri Lanka.
In Short
- Sangakkara said Sanju Samson is a very special player
- Sangakkara also said that he loves watching Ruturaj Gaikwad
- India will take on Sri Lanka in the T20Is from January 3
By PosterGuy: Former Sri Lanka cricketer Kumar Sangakkara said that he wants to see Sanju Samson getting a long run in the India team after the wicketkeeper-batter was named for the T20I series.
Samson, who has been in and out of India’s squad, was picked for the T20I series against Sri Lanka. The Hardik Pandya-led India will take on the Asian champions Sri Lanka in a three-match series, beginning January 3.
“I want to see Sanju getting a long run in this Indian side because he is a very special player. They have got a good mixture of pace, spin and utility players. It will be a tough challenge for Sri Lanka but in T20 they have tools to match them,” Sangakkara told PTI during an interaction organised by Star Sports.
Along with Samson, Ruturaj Gaikwad has also found a place in India’s T20I squad. Talking about Gaikwad, Sangakkara said: “I love watching Ruturaj Gaikwad’s batting and he is one player who can bat correctly and yet have enormous impact in T20 cricket.”
When India announced the squads for the upcoming white-ball series against Sri Lanka, there was a surprise exclusion of wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant from both ODI and T20I squads. However, Sangakkara feels that Pant needs to improve his keeping more than batting.
“I think for one Rishabh Pant can improve his wicketkeeping quite a bit. A lot of people only concentrate on his batting, and it is combination of two that increases confidence,” Sangakkara said.
“I know it is hard and boring but he can really become good by concentrating on smaller moments and that in turn will help him in white ball cricket, and then he will become the keeper he is expected to become.”
Sangakkara also advised Pant to be judicious in his choice of whom to attack and when to attack.
“In his batting, I have got no doubt that he has got all the shots, ability and talent but it is about understanding how you build an innings in T20 cricket, knowing which bowlers to attack and be a little smart,” Sangakkara said.
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