CHENNAI: Disappointment was brewing, but now it is over. A show of arrogance Chennai Super KingsNew recruit Sanju Samson has rekindled confidence in the camp against rivals Delhi Capitals in Chepauk on Saturday.Sanju’s unbeaten 115 off 56 balls, his first major statement in CSK colours, shows everything that makes him a valuable T20 batsman. There was no rush, no need to hit big, no desperation to clear the ropes. Instead, he relied on his strengths, producing a high-quality innings against a strong attack.Go beyond limits with our YouTube channel. Subscribe now!Not one for brute force, Sanju relied on timing and placement, hitting nine boundaries in the powerplay. His control and awareness of the game helped CSK overcome a six-match cheep jinx and finally get their campaign going.The innings also marked a rapid turnaround. After failing in his first three matches, the pressure was on for the Kerala batsman, who calls Chennai his “second home”. But if there was tension, it never showed. CSK’s bowling coach Eric Simmons highlighted this composition, placing Sanju just one notch below MS Dhoni in terms of composure.“I have had the privilege of working with MS Dhoni for many years, one of the calmest cricketers I have ever seen. Sanju is not far behind,” Simmons said. “There is no panic, no desire to over-practice. When you have a player of his class you know that bad form is temporary.”Simmons points to Sanju’s self-confidence as a defining characteristic. “That’s something he has in abundance. Our job is to keep trusting him,” he added.This belief has served Sanju well in the past. In the recent T20 World Cup, he entered the XI late after a low score but stuck to his natural game, reaping rich rewards with two consecutive player-of-the-match performances.CSK’s move came with expectations. The franchise released long-serving Ravindra Jadeja to bring him in – a decision that highlighted his faith. Sanju admits that it was important to repay that trust. “After CSK showed confidence in me, it was important to deliver so we stay in contention,” he said. “Starting over with a new franchise is never easy, but I’ve never felt that way here. It’s like a second home.”Sanju is no stranger to setbacks and believes that these stages have shaped him. “I have failed a lot but failure teaches you how to come back,” he said.
