Indian wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson has reflected on his international career, missed opportunities, and return to the opening role in a video released by the BCCI. Samson, who was part of India’s squad for the historic T20 World Cup 2024 triumph but did not get an opportunity to play, admitted that the phase was challenging, though he remained thankful for being included in the 15-member squad.
Career Reflection
“Talking about the T20 World Cup 2024, I didn’t play a game. Things were up and down, to be very honest, and I was not matching the expectations I had set for myself. But I was grateful that I made it to the fifteen,” Samson said.
Reflecting on his journey so far, the Kerala batter described his career as marked by unpredictability, especially in the shortest format. “My journey is very special. You never know when you will get the opportunity to play. In this format, ups and downs keep happening,” he mentioned.
Dealing with Pressure
Samson also addressed dealing with external pressure while playing for the national team. “It’s hard to ignore outside noise when you’re playing for India. I created my own bubble and kept focusing on the little things. I knew my time would come,” he added.
The wicketkeeper-batter noted that the unexpected opportunity to open the innings turned out to be a significant turning point in his career. “With God’s grace, it happened out of nowhere. I came into the World Cup side as a middle-order batter, but an opening slot opened up. I got the opportunity to bat in around 10 or 11 innings, and I did something special, which brought me into the Indian opening role,” Samson stated.
Motivation and Mindset
Addressing the stop-start nature of his international appearances, Samson mentioned that continued belief in getting a chance kept him motivated. “People say I didn’t get a long run, but I see that as a positive sign. After 10 years of international cricket, I still feel very special wearing this jersey. That feeling keeps me going,” he said.
He also spoke about his fearless batting approach in T20Is, stating that it aligns naturally with the format’s demands. “This format demands fearlessness and not thinking too much about mistakes. Luckily, that comes naturally to me,” he noted.
Team Rapport
Samson further emphasized his strong rapport with T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav, highlighting the importance of communication. “I have a great connection with Surya. We exchange a lot of ideas and ask questions. Having that rapport with the captain is very important in this format,” he said.
Samson will be in action later when he opens the innings for India in the first match of the five-match T20I series against New Zealand.