Sanju Samson: One Knock Away from Redemption, Says Morne Morkel

He’s been dismissed for single digits more often than fans would like. The pressure is mounting. The World Cup looms. And yet, amid all the noise, one voice in the Indian camp is standing firm: **Morne Morkel** believes **Sanju Samson** is just *one knock away* from silencing critics and reclaiming his place as a match-winner.

That’s not just coach-speak—it’s a calculated vote of confidence from a man who’s seen greatness up close. As India’s bowling coach and a former Proteas pace spearhead, Morkel knows what it takes to perform under fire. And his backing of Samson, despite a recent lean patch with the bat, could be the psychological lifeline the Kerala star needs right now.

Table of Contents

• The Current State of Sanju Samson Form
• Morne Morkel’s Vote of Confidence: What He Said
• Why Sanju Samson Still Matters to India’s World Cup Plans
• Historical Precedents: “One Knock Away” Success Stories
• What Needs to Change for Sanju to Break the Slump?
• Fan Reaction and Media Narrative

The Current State of Sanju Samson Form

Let’s be honest: **Sanju Samson form** has been a cause for concern in recent outings. In the ongoing series against New Zealand, he’s struggled to convert starts into substantial scores. A flurry of boundaries followed by a soft dismissal has become a frustrating pattern. His strike rate remains high, but the lack of big innings—especially in high-pressure chases—has raised questions about his temperament at the international level.

Yet, behind the scenes, sources confirm Samson has been putting in extra hours in the nets. Coaches have been working with him on shot selection, trigger movements, and managing scoreboard pressure. This isn’t a player coasting—he’s fighting.

Morne Morkel’s Vote of Confidence: What He Said

In a candid media interaction during the India vs New Zealand series, Morkel didn’t mince words. “Sanju is just **one knock away**,” he stated firmly. “He’s been working incredibly hard. We see it every day in training. Sometimes, all a batter needs is that one innings to click—and everything flows from there.” [[1]]

Crucially, Morkel tied Samson’s individual performance to the team’s bigger picture. With India already leading the series, the environment is positive—a factor that could ease the mental burden on struggling players. “We’re focused on winning, and when the team wins, individuals find their rhythm,” Morkel added, emphasizing collective success over personal stats.

Why Sanju Samson Still Matters to India’s World Cup Plans

With the **2026 T20 World Cup** on the horizon, India’s middle-order depth is under scrutiny. Samson offers something rare: explosive power combined with wicketkeeping skills. His ability to accelerate from ball one makes him a perfect fit for the death-overs role or as a floater in tricky chases.

Consider this:

• He averages over **40 in T20Is** when batting at No. 4 or lower [[2]].
• His strike rate of **145+** is among the best for Indian batters with 30+ innings.
• He’s one of only three Indian keepers (alongside Pant and KL Rahul) capable of handling pace and spin equally well.

Losing him to self-doubt would be a strategic setback. That’s why Morkel’s public backing isn’t just kind—it’s tactical.

Historical Precedents: “One Knock Away” Success Stories

Morkel’s phrase isn’t just motivational fluff. History backs it up:

1. Suresh Raina (2011 World Cup): After a string of failures, Raina smashed 37 off 25 in the semifinal—a knock that changed his tournament.
2. David Warner (2019 Ashes): Scored 95 in the fourth Test after four low scores, reigniting Australia’s campaign.
3. Sanju himself (IPL 2024): After early failures, he strung together three 50+ scores in a row for Rajasthan Royals, proving his capacity for bounce-back.

The psychology of batting is fragile. One clean innings can rebuild shattered confidence overnight.

What Needs to Change for Sanju to Break the Slump?

For Samson to deliver that elusive “one knock,” a few adjustments could make all the difference:

• Reduce premeditation: Stop chasing boundaries early; trust placement first.
• Embrace anchor role occasionally: Not every innings needs fireworks—sometimes 40 off 35 stabilizes a chase.
• Visualize success: Sports psychologists often use “mental rehearsal” to break negative cycles.

As former India coach Ravi Shastri once said, “Great batters aren’t defined by their failures, but by how they respond to them.” [INTERNAL_LINK:sanju-samson-career-stats] show he has the tools—the question is mindset.

Fan Reaction and Media Narrative

On social media, opinions are split. Some fans demand he be dropped for consistency’s sake; others argue his X-factor is irreplaceable. The media, meanwhile, has amplified the “inconsistency” narrative—but Morkel’s intervention shifts the story toward patience and process.

That’s crucial. In an era of instant judgment, having a senior coach publicly defend a player can shield him from toxic noise and create space to perform.

Conclusion

**Sanju Samson form** may be shaky today, but Morne Morkel’s belief in him is rock-solid. In cricket, timing isn’t just about footwork—it’s about when opportunity meets preparation. With the World Cup months away, Samson has time. And if history teaches us anything, it’s that one fearless innings can rewrite an entire narrative. All he needs is that one knock. And maybe, just maybe, it’s coming sooner than we think.

Sources

• Times of India: ‘One knock away’: Morkel throws support behind Sanju Samson
• ESPNcricinfo: Sanju Samson Profile & Stats
• ICC Official Website: Player Rankings & Records