New Delhi, March 2 (NationPress) Renowned opener Sunil Gavaskar expressed that all cricket enthusiasts in India would celebrate Sanju Samson's remarkable innings of 97 not out, leading the team to a vital five-wicket victory against the West Indies. He noted that the dedicated wicketkeeper-batter has finally gained the recognition he deserves for his extraordinary skill.

Samson's outstanding performance, featuring 12 fours and four sixes off just 50 balls, propelled India to a five-wicket triumph in their crucial Super Eights match at Eden Gardens on Sunday, securing their place in the T20 World Cup semi-final against England, scheduled in Mumbai on Thursday.

“This innings of 97 not out alleviates the burden not only from Sanju Samson’s shoulders but also from all those who appreciate his exceptional talent. He has experienced many highs and lows, and we have shared those feelings because he is such a genuine person. Everyone is rooting for him,” Gavaskar stated during an interview on Star Sports.

He further mentioned that a century for Samson is just around the corner. “He was merely three runs shy of a hundred, and it would have been incredible had he reached that milestone. However, I believe another century is on its way in future matches. The target was not simple to chase, but this group of players showed resilience and achieved the unthinkable,” he added.

Gavaskar also emphasized the significance of India's strategy in managing their strike during the chase, noting that the team's effectiveness in reducing dot balls while pursuing a challenging score was crucial.

“Having a consistent batter at one end is extremely advantageous. The other batter can focus on accumulating singles to provide more strike to the established batter. This approach minimizes dot balls. In T20 cricket, the objective is to have as few dot balls as possible. I believe the Indian team has understood this strategy well,” he elaborated.

“Looking at teams with the lowest dot ball percentages, India ranks quite high. I am not claiming they are the best, but they are certainly competitive. That is where a significant portion of the battle is won. Out of 120 deliveries, if you score off 80 to 85 balls, you enhance your chances of chasing totals around 190 to 200, which India successfully accomplished against the West Indies,” he concluded.

Former India assistant coach Abhishek Nayar commented on how Samson finally achieved his moment of recognition after a prolonged wait. “Sanju Samson's innings was extraordinary. His journey over the past couple of years has been like a rollercoaster. After scoring several runs in South Africa and hitting centuries, he faced a demotion to the fifth position,” he explained.

“We observed him struggle in Australia, as that was not his preferred batting position. Nonetheless, he fought his way back into the Indian squad and earned a spot in the T20 World Cup roster. Then Ishan Kishan took his place. He was seeking another opportunity.

“He played just one game in the group stage against Namibia, then finally got to bat against Zimbabwe. After scoring some runs, he delivered this remarkable performance of 97 runs. He approached the game with a different mindset—very measured, controlled, and aggressive,” Nayar concluded.