Matthew Hayden sees Adam Gilchrist in Sanju Samson after T20 World Cup carnage: ‘There is just everything to gain’
Matthew Hayden drew an interesting comparison while speaking about Samson, pointing out how the Indian batter’s effortless strokeplay recently caught his eye.
Sanju Samson emerged as one of the standout performers of the ICC T20 World Cup, turning his campaign around in remarkable fashion during the latter stages of the competition. The wicketkeeper batter made the most of the opportunity when he was asked to open the innings in a must-win clash against West Indies, producing an unbeaten 97 that set the tone for what followed. Samson carried that confidence into the knockout matches, delivering twin knocks of 89 in both the semi-final and the final. His consistency under pressure played a key role in guiding his side to victory, and his contributions across the business end of the tournament earned him the Player of the Tournament award.
Sanju Samson was the Player of the Tournament in T20 World Cup. (PTI)
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Former Australia opener Matthew Hayden drew an interesting comparison while speaking about Samson, pointing out how the Indian batter’s effortless strokeplay recently caught his eye. Hayden said Samson’s clean ball striking reminded him of legendary Australian wicketkeeper batter Adam Gilchrist, recalling the impact such naturally attacking players can have when they find their rhythm.
"We've watched Sanju Samson now in the IPL for 10 years. He has just lacked that consistency for an opener or No.3. He has floated around the order. But he just hit his stride in an unbelievable game at the Eden Gardens. Just the way he was able to effortlessly ball strike, it reminded me a bit of Gilly (Gilchrist)," Hayden said on All Over Bar The Cricket YouTube channel.
“Sanju at the top, there is just everything to gain”
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Samson played five matches in the T20 World Cup and amassed 321 runs at an average of 80.25 and a strike rate of 199.37, hitting 27 fours and 24 sixes and ended as the third-highest run-getter.
Continuing his praise, Hayden expanded on why he sees match-winning potential in Samson, drawing a vivid parallel with Gilchrist. Citing past World Cup heroics, the former Australia opener highlighted how explosive players can transform a game the moment they find their spark, no matter the stage.
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"Gilly didn't really turn up in the World Cup in the West Indies (2007), and suddenly, in the final against Sri Lanka, he turns up and gets a big hundred. He's just that dangerous, Sanju. And with Sanju at the top, there is just everything to gain," he added.
Aditya Maheshwari is a Chief Content Producer and sports journalist with over seven years of experience covering the sports beat across formats and platforms. A cricket-first reporter by profession, he also follows football closely and considers it an integral part of his sporting journey. His work is shaped by a strong on-ground understanding of the game and an ability to translate match-day moments into clear, engaging stories that connect with readers across digital audiences. Over the years, he has developed a balanced approach that combines factual accuracy with narrative clarity, ensuring that both breaking developments and deeper insights are presented with context. Aditya has reported from the field at several major tournaments, including the ICC Cricket World Cup, the Indian Premier League, and the Indian Super League. First-hand coverage of these events has strengthened his ability to read the pulse of high-pressure contests, whether through live reporting, post-match analysis, or long-form storytelling. Working closely around teams, venues, and evolving storylines has helped him develop a strong sense of timing and editorial judgment. While cricket remains his primary focus, Aditya regularly reports on football and keeps a close watch on other sports such as tennis, hockey, and badminton. His wide-ranging interest allows him to approach stories with broader perspective, understanding how different sporting ecosystems function and evolve. Comfortable in fast-paced digital newsrooms, Aditya is well-versed in modern sports coverage, from live blogs and real-time updates to in-depth analysis and audience-focused storytelling. He believes in keeping sports writing simple, accurate, and grounded, with emphasis on clarity over complexity. At the core of his work lies a commitment to credible reporting and telling stories that go beyond the numbers on the scoreboard, highlighting the people, preparation, and pressure behind every performance.
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Home/Cricket/Matthew Hayden sees Adam Gilchrist in Sanju Samson after T20 World Cup carnage: ‘There is just everything to gain’
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