Dubai: Eighteen-year-old Sanju Samson, who steered Rajasthan Royals to a seven-wicket victory over Mumbai Indians in the Champions League Twenty20 on Saturday, is already being talked about as one of India’s future stars.

Thrashing world-class bowlers like Mitchell Johnson, Harbhajan Singh, Kieron Pollard, Dwayne Smith and Pragyan Ojha, Samson cracked a brilliant 54 runs against Mumbai on Saturday to win praise from his captain Rahul Dravid.

Samson, who hails from Thiruvananthapuram and bagged the most promising player of the tournament award in the last Indian Premier League, was groomed from the age of 12 by Biju George, a Sports Authority of India (SAI) coach.

Speaking to Gulf News, George said: “I am so happy with Samson’s performance. His consistency is the result of his sheer hard work. Even if he returns from a long tour at night, he will be at the practice nets by 6am and works hard till 10.30am. His performance is nothing but God’s reward for his hard work and dedication.”

Dravid was impressed with the teenager’s composure. “To face four world-class bowlers without flinching or showing any kind of nervousness at such a young age is splendid,” he said. “His calmness and control is praiseworthy and I am happy he is utilising all the opportunities that is coming his way. He is indeed an asset for the future.”

George attributes Samson’s calmness and his temperament to self-discipline. “Samson’s father brought him to me at the age of 12,” George said. “From the start, I was impressed with his work ethics. He is willing to try out any stroke and if it is not working he does not hesitate to come and ask and work hard to correct it. His attitude and discipline is impressive. After receiving praise from Dravid last year, he is working doubly hard. He knows he has to go a long way.”

George is also happy that Samson is equally serious about achieving an education. “Another factor that impressed me about Samson is that he is good in studies. Never has he scored below 90 per cent and is now studying at the Mar Ivanios College for his degree. Though he has won huge praise he is just like other students and even practices with my 12-year-old students.”

George, who prefers to coach children aged 10 to 12 and has helped mould promising Kerala players such as Raiphi Gomez, Rohan Prem, Sachin Baby and Prasanth Parameswaran, who all have played in the IPL, does not like to take credit for Samson’s success.

“As a coach, I believe I am only a facilitator,” said George, who is a Board of Control for Cricket in India level 3 coach and is currently in charge of the India Under-19 women’s team. “It is up to players like Samson to earn success through dedication and devotion. Among my students is another promising 10-year-old boy named Shaun Rogers, who has the same dedication like Samson.”