Former India head coach Ravi Shastri believes Sanju Samson has finally “come of age” in the ongoing ICC Men's T20 World Cup after strengthening his mental approach and improving his shot selection.

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Samson played a match-winning knock of 89 off 42 balls against the England national cricket team in the semifinal, guiding India national cricket team to a narrow seven-run victory on Thursday.

The opener had earlier smashed a 50-ball 97 against the West Indies cricket team in a virtual quarterfinal, setting up India’s five-wicket win.

“I think he’s finally realising that he needs to be more consistent,” Shastri said on The ICC Review.

“He has to be wiser with his shot selection and back his strengths. Sanju has every shot in the book, but sometimes there are lapses in concentration.”

Shastri said the Kerala batter appears to have strengthened his mental game.

“There was never any doubt about his talent or skill. The only disappointment was the lack of consistency over time, but I think he’s come of age now.”

India will face the New Zealand national cricket team in the final in Ahmedabad on Sunday.

Samson was overlooked early in the tournament as Ishan Kishan opened the innings and Rinku Singh was also preferred in the XI.

However, once recalled, Samson repaid the team management’s faith with two consecutive Player-of-the-Match performances.

Shastri believes the 31-year-old still has plenty to offer.

“He’s still just 31 and a genuine match-winner,” Shastri said.

“When you see shots like the ones he played today, there’s class, touch, power and brute force. It’s unbelievable.”

While Samson has been in outstanding form, his opening partner, Abhishek Sharma, has struggled in the tournament, scoring just 89 runs from seven innings.

Despite the poor run, Shastri urged India to persist with the top-ranked T20I batter.

“I think they’ve just got to stick with him now,” Shastri said.

“Don’t make any changes when the team is doing well. Tell him to believe in his ability and back his strengths.

“Don’t go into a shell and become tentative. The last game might be the best game for him.”