Sanju Samson is enjoying the form of his life, finally establishing himself as a top-order force for India in T20 cricket. Following the recent retirements of legends Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, Samson has seized his opportunity as an opener, with his latest performances underscoring his potential. His recent success includes a magnificent second consecutive T20I century against South Africa at Kingsmead in Durban, affirming his place as a pivotal player for the Indian squad.
For Samson, the journey has not been without challenges. Despite showing flashes of brilliance over the years, he has had to wait patiently for his moment. The beginning of Gautam Gambhir’s tenure as India’s head coach saw Samson struggle with his form, particularly in a difficult series against Sri Lanka. However, he quickly found his stride with impressive displays against Bangladesh and, more recently, against South Africa.
In the post-match conference after his standout performance in Durban, Samson expressed gratitude for the confidence and support he has received from senior members of the team, especially from captain Suryakumar Yadav and coach Gautam Gambhir. Samson reflected on how their encouragement helped him navigate the mental hurdles of representing India. “When you have a captain like Suryakumar Yadav, Gautam bhai, and VVS Laxman sir standing by you through failures, it means a lot,” Samson shared. “They understand how crucial it is to support players through tough times, as a player can easily lose his way during a negative phase.”
Samson revealed that frequent phone calls from both Gambhir and Yadav helped him refine his approach, particularly against spin. “They’d call and give me specific advice—like collecting spinners from Kerala and practicing on rough wickets. When the Indian team’s captain calls after you’ve had a poor performance and tells you how to improve, you feel trusted and supported,” Samson said.
Reflecting on his career, which began in 2015 but has been punctuated with limited opportunities, Samson noted that he has gained a new sense of maturity as he nears his 30th birthday. This growth has helped him fully embrace his naturally expressive game. He credited the team management’s trust for giving him the confidence to perform.
“I’m grateful for the faith shown in me. I feel I’m finally able to give something back to my team, and I know this is just the beginning,” Samson said. “Each time I step out on the field, I want to work hard, contribute, and help India win.”
With his stellar century powering India to a decisive 61-run victory in Durban, Samson will be looking to carry this momentum forward as India heads to Gqeberha for the next match in the series.
