With good guidance from Rahul Dravid, Sanju Samson's on right track, says Sachin Tendulkar

Sanju Samson’s effort of 74 off 47 deliveries came for a losing cause on Sunday at Wankhede

It was a night of heartbreak for Rajasthan Royals in Mumbai on Sunday. They were first blown away by the clean hitting by Corey Anderson, and when it looked like they had nearly averted the disaster (or miracle, depending on which side you’re on), James Faulkner bowled a full toss down the leg stump, and Aditya Tare sent the hopes of Rajasthan Royals soaring over the ropes, along with the ball.

The pain of that shot was seen via Rahul Dravid’s actions in the dugout, as he threw his cap in disgust at the ground. If someone so experienced and composed could lose his cool at that moment, it’s hard to imagine what would be going through the mind of 19-year-old Sanju Samson.

Where at one end of the spectrum, Rajasthan have a seasoned campaigner in Pravin Tambe, there’s Sanju Samson at the other, having made his name last season with RR, but struggling to come up with an innings of note this year. But it all changed in the first innings at Wankhede. Samson’s 74 off 47 deliveries was just the innings which Rajasthan required, providing a great platform for their hitters to make the most of a great start which he gave along with Karun Nair.

Sachin Tendulkar, sitting in the Mumbai Indians’ camp, couldn’t help but praise Samson. When commentator Harsha Bhogle asked him about the youngster during Rajasthan’s innings, Sachin said, “I think he’s a talented batsman. He’s shown tremendous temperament. I’ve been watching for the last couple of years.”

“I had a brief chat with him last year when I was in Rajasthan. He seemed like a composed kid with [a good] head on his shoulders and I think that’s really important.

“With some good guidance from Rahul [Dravid] I’m sure he’s on the right track,” Tendulkar added.

Samson ended this season with 339 runs, joint highest for Rajasthan along with Ajinkya Rahane. In 13 matches, he averaged a touch above 26, striking at a rate of 124.17. During the innings break, he would have thought he has yet to play a role for Rajasthan this season, but admitted it’s a funny game, which it eventually turned out to be.