I am surprised Sanju Samson isn’t playing all forms of cricket for India: Shane Warne

Former Australian cricketer Shane Warne has heaped praises on Sanju Samson, who’s representing the Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the 2020 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The youngster started with a sparkling 32-ball 74, laced with one four and as many as nine sixes, against MS Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

In that game, he smashed the spinners- Ravindra Jadeja and Piyush Chawla- for fun. His swashbuckling knock guided the Royals to a massive total of 216 after which RR won their opening match by 16 runs. Spin-wizard Warne, RR’s 2008 IPL-winning skipper, said that he’s surprised by Samson, not getting to play for India in all the three formats.

Sanju Samson is an absolute champion, says Warne

“Sanju Samson, what a player he is. I have said for a long time and I think Sanju Samson is probably one of the most exciting players I have seen for a long time. I am surprised he is not playing all forms of cricket for India,” Warne was quoted as saying on the Royals’ Instagram handle.

“He is that good. He is an absolute champion he is got all the shots, quality, and class. So hopefully he has a consistent year and helps Rajasthan Royals lift the IPL trophy and I hope to see in him Indian colors in all three forms of cricket,” he added.

Samson first donned the national jersey way back in 2015 against Zimbabwe during a T20I series. Thereafter, he had to wait more than four-and-half years to get his next chance. In 2020, he has played three T20Is, but to his dismay, he hasn’t been able to cross the double-digit mark even once. He has kept performing in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 trophy.

However, a big future lies ahead of him as India are still looking for MS Dhoni’s replacement in the shorter formats. In four T20s, he only has 35 runs at a dismal average of 8.75 with a top score of 19. In 2019, Gautam Gambhir, former Indian cricketer, said that the Young Turk should get a chance for the 2019 World Cup after his century against the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).