Former Indian opener Kris Srikkanth lavished praise on Sanju Samson for playing a crucial cameo against Zimbabwe at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai on Thursday. India clinched the must-win contest by 72 runs to stay afloat in the tournament.

Samson scored 24 runs off 15 balls to give a brisk start to the team after they were put into bat. The right-hander added 48 runs for the opening alliance with Abhishek Sharma.

Srikkanth said Samson had a golden opportunity to make a big score before he was dismissed by Blessing Muzarabani.

“It was a feast for India. Sharma and Varma scored, Hardik scored, everyone scored. It was a good batting wicket. Zimbabwe chose to bowl first saying there will be juice on the wicket. Sanju Samson made orange juice of their bowling in two overs,” Srikkanth said on ‘Cheeky Cheeka’.

“Sanju should have scored a hundred on this wicket. I was sure he would make a fifty. God is with you Sanju, what are you doing? Maybe he is reserving for the big match. But the start he gave was a good thing for Abhishek Sharma, as he could play his normal game. He did not have to go for the shots,” he added.

On the other hand, Abhishek Sharma got back into form, scoring 55 runs off 30 balls, and Srikkanth showered praise on the left-hander for his impressive knock.

“What I liked about Abhishek is that he did not go for the runs. Run came to him automatically. He did not go for the bowling. He was playing late, was not stepping out. He was very still and he was playing with a free flow. This is how he should play. Abhishek does not have to go for the runs, it will come to him. He was waiting for it,” he said.

India will take on the West Indies at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata, on Sunday in another do-or-die contest.