Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram took a trip down the memory lane and recalled the time when bowled in nets to Sanju Sasmon during a Kolkata Knigth Riders (KKR) training camp. As some of you might recall, Akram was the bowling coach of KKR from 2010 to 2016, and during the same phase, the franchise won two IPL titles. During a recent interaction, Akram revealed that he still supports KKR in the IPL, having been part of the franchise for a solid seven editions.
Akram also recalled that due to the lack of bowlers in the camp, he had the opportunity to swing his arms. The legendary pacer recounted that a 16-year-old Samson, a shy boy back then, came to bat in the nets.
“I think this incident happened in 2010. I remember KKR had a black kit in 2010. They changed to purple in 2011. So we organized a camp before IPL. Not at Eden Gardens, but on another ground. So there were few bowlers only available for the camp. Sanju Samson came in to bat. He was a very shy boy then. He used to be silent, and his wicketkeeping skills were great. Then, he came to bat as well,” Akram said during an interaction on Sportskeeda.
The 57-year-old revealed that he after beating Samson with a couple of outswingers, he dismissed the then youngster on the third ball with a ripper. He also recalled giving a send off to Samson after rattling his stumps.
“So, I took the ball, and I hope Sanju you remember this. Sanju will remember this. I beat him with a couple of outswingers. I was also young at that time. The third ball I bowled an inswinger and rattled his stumps. So I went and did like this (shows the sendoff he gave by swinging his finger),” he added.
Akram also suggested that he knew Samson would go on to become a quality player.
“At that time, he did not get a chance, but I felt that he had the potential to become a good player in the future. He was silent. He was a young kid. When big names are around you, you tend to come under pressure. I was with him for a short time only, but I got that feeling that he can become a good player,” he concluded.
Samson is currently leading Rajasthan Royals with the franchise sitting top of the table.
