Sanju Samson of India (Photo: Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images) Indian opener Sanju Samson came into the limelight after his match winning 97 against West Indies in a virtual knockout clash. The composure he showed in a tense chase turned the game on its head and gave India a crucial boost ahead of the semi-final against England.The shift also marks a dramatic turn in Samson’s tournament. After losing his place in the playing eleven, he started on the bench and made the most of the opportunity when he was recalled for the Windies encounter. Under immense pressure in the 190-plus chase, the right-hander silenced the opposition with a composed and authoritative display that could prove pivotal to India’s campaign.
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Former South Africa captain Faf du Plessis offered a detailed tactical insight into Samson’s game and identified a potential chink in his armour. While Du Plessis acknowledged Samson’s strength in the mid-wicket area, he hinted that high pace, particularly well-controlled short balls above 140km/h, could give him trouble.“That’s always been the one area with Sanju where you feel you can attack him (with the short ball) and it’s at high pace. He’s very strong in the belly area where the backswing is just beautiful. But 140 plus, when you do it nice and high, it feels like there’s a little window where you can attack him. It’s a weakness. So they’ve got evidence in England, Pless, so it’s on the mark.” ESPNCricinfo.Recent matches have followed a similar scenario for Samson, with quality short bowling testing him. This trend reappeared in the Super 8 match against Zimbabwe, where Blessing Muzarabani removed him early by exploiting this very vulnerability.Extending his analysis, Du Plessis highlighted that Samson must now brace himself for a flurry of short deliveries, especially against express quicks like Jofra Archer.“Sanju will know what’s coming, so for him now it’s – how do I counter that? What am I going to do when Archer comes at me? Do I attack it or are there other bowlers where I can play them a little bit better?” added the former Proteas captain.
