Sanju Samson is the future of Indian cricket: Abhay Sharma, India A fielding and wicket-keeping coach

Sanju Samson

Following India A wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson’s stellar performances in the just concluded quadrangular One-Day series, which the Indian side won by beating Australia A in the finals by 4 wickets, the team’s fielding and wicket-keeping coach Abhay Sharma has lavished praises on the Kerala youngster, saying that the 19-year-old is the “future of India”.

With 244 runs in 7 innings at an average of 81.33 and a strike-rate of 86.21, Samson ended the series as India’s leading run-scorer. Abhay, in an exclusive interview to ESPNcricinfo, said: “He is definitely the future for the country. As a batsman, he is a very sensible player. He understands situations and adapts his game to them. His innings against Australia A in the opening match was outstanding. He took us close in a game we had almost lost."

Abhay was referring to the very first match, their only loss in the tournament, one in which, coming in to bat after the fall of 4 early wickets and in a challenging chase of 252, Samson scored a 98-ball 81 to give his team some hope after the visitors had lost track.

Usually a top order batsman, Samson, who represents Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League, was used as a finisher – No. 6 – throughout the series. Explaining the tactical switch, Abhay, a former Railways glovesman, said: “Going forward, we will have to handle him very well, for he has to bat and keep too. He took that responsibility very well this time but we will have to work on him very carefully."

On the right-hander’s wicket-keeping prowess, he said: "His keeping is improving day by day. A little more work has to be done on a couple of technical things and constant monitoring is needed. He is a very good learner. He readily understands what I want to communicate and implements my plan. At times there is not even the need to speak to him and he will pick up even little signs. He has adapted very well to these conditions. A stumping he pulled off down the leg side was simply outstanding."

Samson, despite being aggressive in his batting style, is not just limited to limited overs cricket. Technically one of the best young players around, the Kerala youngster has 911 runs in his 13 matches at an average of 43.38, with 4 hundreds and 3 fifties.