Abu Dhabi: The International Cricket Council (ICC) Under-19 World Cup is the perfect stage for promising young cricketers to stake their claim for a place in their senior national team.
With the likes of Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina and Ravindra Jadeja having already shot to fame in India after their stellar performances in past editions of the youth World Cup, Sanju Samson is hoping to follow in their footsteps during the 2014 edition, which begins in the UAE on Friday.
Much is expected of Samson following his form in last year’s Indian Premier League (IPL) with Rajasthan Royals.
“Every moment one spends in those two months of cricket in the IPL would help any cricketer,” said Samson after his side played a warm-up match against Sri Lanka at the Shaikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Monday.
“Playing in the Indian Premier League at an early age has made me a mature cricketer. Being with Rajasthan Royals and playing under [Rahul] Dravid’s captaincy has done wonders to my morale. Being with Dravid, I learnt a lot and I’m happy that I’m with the side for the next IPL as well.”
Samson was discovered by India’s tainted pace bowler S. Sreesanth, who spotted his talent and tipped off Rajasthan.
He made headlines with his second innings for the Rajasthan Royals — a half-century that saw them beat the formidable Royal Challengers Bangalore. It was the only 50 he registered in 11 IPL innings, but the Champions League later belonged to him. Three half-centuries, including one in a losing cause in the final against Mumbai, made everyone take notice.
Samson also amassed more than 500 runs for his state side Kerala in the domestic Ranji Trophy tournament and scored a match-winning century against Pakistan in the final of the Under-19 Asia Cup Under-19 tournament held in the UAE in January.
And he says he has matured enough to realise that the slam-bang approach of Twenty20 cricket will be of little help when it comes to the 50-over version of the game at the World Cup.
“I know I love to play my shots from the beginning, but mostly I go with my gut feeling. Firstly, I plan my innings as per what the team situation is. Once I decide that, if I want to be positive, I will be positive. If I have to curtail my shots also, I can do that. I have done that in the past and I am confident of adapting to what the situation demands,” said Samson.
“I don’t like to take a lot of expectation from outsiders. I have lot of expectations from myself and that, I feel, is enough drive to move forward. I like to enjoy each and every tournament I play in. Under-19s has its own challenges and so does IPL, I am up for it. I put in the same effort but I don’t want to dwell much on the future.”
The Asia Cup triumph against Pakistan earlier in the year was a big boost for India and the defending champions are upbeat about the challenge ahead, revealed vice-captain Samson.
“This tournament is important and I and my teammates will play that way. I would like to stay in the present and not think much on what will happen if I play well here. If I do well, my chance to play for the senior team will definitely come,” said Samson, who made just 10 against Sri Lanka ahead of their opener against Pakistan on Saturday.
“We now know what areas we have to improve after this loss against Lanka. At least we have that time to work on it. We didn’t have a big total on board but still made it tough for them and that was a positive. There are a lot of match-winners in the team and they can do well.
“Every match against Pakistan has been a challenge and we have given a good fight. To have an opponent like Pakistan first up means you are tested early and that is good.”
