Sanju Samson, a prominent figure in Indian white-ball cricket, has expressed his strong desire to represent India in Test matches. In a recent revelation, Samson mentioned that the leadership team of the Indian cricket setup has encouraged him to play more Ranji Trophy games, indicating that he is being considered for a potential Test spot. Samson, who made his international debut in 2015, has been striving to solidify his place in the national team, but has yet to don the whites for India.
In first-class cricket, Samson has accumulated 3819 runs across 64 matches, maintaining a respectable average of 38.96, which includes 11 centuries. His recent century in the Duleep Trophy has further fueled speculation that he may soon receive a call-up for the Test team, especially as the selectors have taken note of his performance. Known for his power-hitting in T20 cricket, the 29-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman is now looking to translate his success to the longer format of the game.
Samson, who has established himself as a marquee player in the Indian Premier League (IPL), has yet to make a lasting impact in the international arena. Despite making his debut in 2015, he has struggled to secure a permanent spot in India’s white-ball teams. However, with key players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma nearing retirement, Samson sees this as an opportunity to cement his position in both T20I and Test formats. He has also received strong backing from newly appointed coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Suryakumar Yadav, following his stunning century in the third T20I against Bangladesh.
Reflecting on his ambitions, Samson spoke about the leadership group’s advice and how he is preparing for the red-ball format. “I believe I have the skills to succeed in Test cricket. I don’t want to be confined to just white-ball formats. My aspiration is to represent India in Test matches. Before the Duleep Trophy, the leadership group asked me to take red-ball cricket seriously and to play more Ranji Trophy matches,” Samson said in an interview with Sportstar.
During the third T20I against Bangladesh, Samson played an extraordinary innings, overshadowing even the explosive Suryakumar Yadav. His innings, which featured 8 sixes and 11 fours, reinforced his potential to become a key player for India in multiple formats.
Samson also credited former India head coach Rahul Dravid for helping him fine-tune his game. He revealed that after the series against Sri Lanka, he trained with Dravid and Zubin Bharucha at the Rajasthan Royals Academy, which gave him the confidence to perform at a higher level. “My preparation was thorough this time. After the Sri Lanka series, I worked on my game at the RR Academy with Rahul Dravid Sir and Zubin Bharucha. Scoring a century in the Duleep Trophy against some of the best bowlers in the country has significantly boosted my confidence,” Samson added.
With his determination and strong recent performances, Samson is now looking forward to making his mark in the Test arena, eager to showcase his versatility and prove himself as a player capable of excelling in both red and white-ball formats.
