The kind of care the coach and captain are taking of Sanju Samson is amazing: Ravi Ashwin

Former Indian spinner Ravi Ashwin was surprised to see Sanju Samson, the Indian keeper-batter, getting a chance in the Indian playing XI vs the UAE on Wednesday, September 10, in Dubai.

There were a lot of reports that Shubman Gill is expected to take up Samson’s opening spot. Though Gill occupied the opening role, Samson has been demoted down the order to No.5 with Jitesh Sharma omitted from the XI.

Speaking exclusively on his YouTube channel, Ashwin was pleasantly surprised with the backing Samson has been receiving from both captain Suryakumar Yadav and head coach Gautam Gambhir.

“I am surprised, but happy and pleasantly surprised with the backing that Sanju is getting. The kind of care the coach and captain are taking of him, it’s amazing. Suryakumar said at the press conference that ‘we are looking after him’ and that is visible. If Sanju has to play, he has to be a powerplay enforcer. If a wicket falls in the powerplay, then Sanju goes in,” Ashwin said on Ash ki baat.

Moreover, Ashwin also revealed Samson’s words from his most recent interview, adding that Gambhir is expected to back the keeper-batter even if he makes 21 ducks. Ashwin went to heap praises on the coach and captain for the way they backed Samson.

“This is project Sanju Samson. When I interviewed him, he revealed that Gautam Gambhir told him that even if he makes 21 ducks, he will be picked for the 22nd game. That is the confidence that the coach and Suryakumar have given him. It is clear that the team management believes in what Sanju Samson brings to the table. They are willing to do this sort of a thing to make a place for him. Amazing,” he added.

Right after his ton against Bangladesh in Hyderabad, while speaking to the media, Samson had stated that he wondered if he would get another chance after the two ducks against Sri Lanka in July 2024.

“Like I was in doubt after a couple of ducks in Sri Lanka will I be getting a chance. Mentally you go through a lot as an individual as an Indian cricketer, especially in this format where failures are much higher than success as a batsman you have to keep being aggressive and keep looking at the scoring options. The risk is high and when the risk is high there are a lot of failures also,” Samson had said after his two ducks vs Sri Lanka.

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