Sanju Samson and MS Dhoni (Video grab) CHENNAI: Frustrations were building but now they have disappeared. One display of swagger from new Chennai Super Kings recruit Sanju Samson against rivals Delhi Capitals in Chepauk on Saturday reignited faith in the camp.Sanju’s unbeaten 115 off 56 balls, his first big statement in CSK colours, showcased everything that makes him a prized T20 batsman. There was no rush, no excessive arbitrariness in the big strokes, no desperation to clear the ropes. Instead, he trusted his strengths and pitched a quality inning against a potent offense.
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Stephen Fleming on CSK’s overhaul, pressure player rule and impact on bowling Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SIGN UP NOW!Sanju was not about brute force but relied on timing and placement, hitting nine boundaries in the Powerplay. His control and awareness of the game helped CSK snap a six-match Chepauk jinx and finally get their campaign going.The shift also marked a sharp turnaround. After failing in the first three matches, the pressure started to mount on the Kerala batsman, who calls Chennai his ‘second home’. But if there was tension, it never showed. CSK bowling coach Eric Simons underlined this composure, placing Sanju just a rung below MS Dhoni in terms of composure.“I had the privilege of working for many years with MS Dhoni, one of the calmest cricketers I have ever seen. Sanju is not far behind,” said Simons. “There is no panic, no urge to overtrain. When you have a player of his class, you know that bad form is temporary.”Simons pointed to Sanju’s confidence as a defining trait. “It’s something he has in abundance. Our job is to continue to believe in him,” he added.This belief had served Sanju well before. In the recent T20 World Cup, he entered the playing XI late after a series of low scores, but stuck to his natural game and reaped rich rewards with two consecutive man-of-the-match appearances.The move to CSK came with expectations. The franchise released long-time stalwart Ravindra Jadeja to bring him in – a decision that underscored their faith. Sanju admitted that it was important to repay that trust. “After the confidence CSK showed in me, it was important to deliver to stay in contention,” he said. “It’s never easy starting a new franchise, but I’ve never felt that here. It’s like a second home.”
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Sanju is no stranger to obstacles and believes that these stages have shaped him. “I’ve failed a lot, but failure teaches you how to get back up,” he said.
