Ravi Shastri wants Sanju Samson to be like Virat Kohli

Sanju Samson made his Indian T20 league debut in 2013. He instantly made a mark and several pundits and experts predicted him to be the next big thing in Indian cricket. He went on to make his international debut in 2015.

However, he hasn't been able to live up to his potential, as far as international cricket is concerned. The talented batter has only played 14 games for India so far in his international cricket career. Besides, he is yet to score his maiden fifty in international cricket. However, he has been an absolute champion in the Indian T20 league. Samson has scored 3161 runs in 120 innings at an average of 29.27.

Yet, one of the major issues he has faced is the lack of consistency. The keeper-batter hasn't been able to regularly get the big scores. Having said that, he has worked on his consistency of late. Former Indian cricketer Ravi Shastri also spoke highly of him and said that he saw a sense of calmness in Samson during the Indian T20 league 2022. He felt that the Kerala cricketer will be more consistent this time around.

“When I look at him this season, I see a sense of calmness. That maturity has crept in. I just have the feeling that he might have a good one this year. I feel he will be a lot more consistent this season. He has got a side around him that will make him feel relaxed and continue to play his natural game which is to attack and he can score,” said Ravi Shastri while speaking to ESPNcricinfo.

In the meanwhile, the 59-year-old urged Samson to pick a leaf out of Virat Kohli's book. Shastri felt that the youngster needs to show a little more maturity while batting, much like Virat Kohli. It is to be noted that Rajasthan recently faced Bangalore, with the 2016-finalists winning the game by four wickets.

“He has been around for a long time. You cannot make that same mistake after 10 years and get out at 20-25. You will have a coach that will come and bang it down your head. The way you want to see Samson up the ante is by reading the opposition a little more and then comes the choice of shots. Which are the shots that will be more profitable and then you anticipate that from that particular bowler.

This is where Kohli is far more mature, disciplined and in control and hence the bigger scores. If Sanju can get that into his game, reading the opposition a little bit more than just see it and hit it, he will get there. Because he can take off,” he added.