Cricket-Sangakkara backs Royals’ Samson to have a good run for India at World Cup

May 8 (Reuters) – Rajasthan Royals skipper Sanju Samson has made his case to become India’s first-choice wicketkeeper-batsman at the Twenty20 World Cup in June, said Kumar Sangakkara, the coach of his Indian Premier League (IPL) team.

Samson was named in India’s 15-man squad for the June 1-29 event in the West Indies and United States but the inclusion of Rishabh Pant means the 2007 champions have options as they bid for a second title.

India coach Rahul Dravid and skipper Rohit Sharma would have kept an eye on proceedings as Samson hit 86 off 46 balls during Rajasthan’s 20-run loss to Pant’s Delhi Capitals on Tuesday.

Pant scored 15 off 13 balls.

“It’s really up to Rahul Dravid and Rohit Sharma and how they see the combination. But he (Samson) has made his case, so hopefully he’ll have a good run in the World Cup,” Sangakkara told reporters.

Samson has been in good form this season, his 471 runs in 11 games third only to Virat Kohli (542) and Ruturaj Gaikwad (541). Pant is also among the top 10 batsmen with 413 runs from 12 games.

“With Sanju, the biggest thing about this season for him is having a lot of clarity about the way he should bat,” former Sri Lanka wicketkeeper-batsman Sangakkara added.

“There are certain stages of the game that he seems to lose a bit of concentration, which we’ve addressed from past seasons.

“He’s changed his mindset about the importance of rest and recovery, rather than just training all the time and being tired mentally and physically. The rest is his exceptional ability.”

Sangakkara said Samson, who has been on the periphery of the Indian side in recent years, had the qualities to succeed after making a World Cup squad for the first time.

“He’s a special player and when he’s fresh and focused there’s nothing he can’t do,” he added. “He’s a humble, grounded guy… not much on social media. He tends to like a lot of privacy, cares for the rest of the group.”

“Those are great qualities to have apart from talent and skill. I think he’ll be exceptional in that group going to the World Cup.”

(Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter Rutherford )

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