'I thought Sanju showed how well he could play with that knock; it's all about taking your opportunities.'
India skipper Rohit Sharma lauded Sanju Samson after the seven-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the second T20 International, in Dharamsala, on Saturday, saying the talented batter showed how well he can play in the limited-overs' format.
Samson scored 39 runs off 25 balls, including 2 fours and 3 sixes.
"We have a lot of talent in that batting unit; we will keep giving them the chances. It's up to them to make the most of it.
"I thought Sanju showed how well he could play with that knock; it's all about taking your opportunities," said Rohit Sharma during the post-match presentation.
"Lot of these guys are quite talented. They just need an opportunity to go out there and express themselves. There are a lot of guys waiting in the wings as well, but their time will come as well.
"We've got to look after the guys who have been in and around the team for a while. We understand all these guys possess a lot of talent. So it's just about giving the opportunity and the backing from our side.
"(It) was an important knock from Shreyas (Iyer); couldn't have asked anything more from him, (Ravindra Jadeja) Jaddu came up well with the bat," added Rohit.
Sri Lanka put up 183 in their 20 overs after skipper Dasun Shanaka played a useful cameo and opening batter Pathum Nissanka smashed a solid fifty.
Rohit said India bowled well in a few overs but the side has to work on the bowling when it comes to the 'death' overs.
"Yeah, it was something that was important. For the middle-order to come and string together a partnership was good to see. It's happened quite a few times over the past few games.
"Don't want to be too harsh on the bowlers; these things happen. We bowled well in the first few overs (in the batting powerplay), restricted them well. 80 runs in the last five overs; it's something we need to understand on things to be done in the last five overs, but we did well in the first 15 overs. The pitch was superb, the ball was coming on nicely and these things do happen," he added.
With Saturday's victory, India also sealed the two-match T20I series (2-0) with a game to go.
The third T20I between the teams is on Sunday.
