I don't play to prove people wrong: Samson on social media noise after T20I heroics

Brief Scores: India (230/6 in 19.4 overs) beat New Zealand (225/4 in 20 overs) by 4 wickets to take 1-0 lead in five-match series.

India wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson insisted he does not play cricket to prove his critics wrong after his explosive knock helped India pull off their highest successful chase in T20 cricket against New Zealand in Christchurch on Thursday. He said he remains focused on following the process and keeping outside noise from affecting his game.

Samson smashed 67 off 33 balls as India chased down a target of 226 to secure a four-wicket win in the first T20I at Hagley Oval. India reached 227 in 19.4 overs to take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series, with Samson setting the tone alongside Abhishek Sharma at the top of the order.

Speaking at the post-match press conference, Samson acknowledged the scrutiny that comes with playing for India but said he had no intention of letting social media commentary dictate his approach.

“I don’t know what people are talking on the outside. To be honest, you cannot think what social media is saying or what other people are saying. You just have to be in the process, be in a very different environment,” he said.

“Playing for Indian cricket is not easy. There is a lot of noise happening. A lot of people have their own comments. But I don’t play this game with the mindset of proving people wrong.”

Named Player of the Match, Samson struck eight fours and four sixes in his innings. He added 93 runs with Abhishek, who made 29 off 12 balls, in just 5.5 overs to give India the early momentum they needed in a demanding chase.

SAMSON EXPLAINS INDIA’S AGGRESSIVE APPROACH

Samson said India’s batting strategy is built around taking advantage of strong starts, with the team looking to put opponents under pressure during the powerplay rather than allowing a chase to drift into the middle overs.

Asked whether India would have approached the innings differently while chasing a smaller target, he explained that the plan depended more on the stage of the game and the start the batters managed than on the total itself.

“I don’t think we would have played a bit differently, but I think it’s different phases of the game where you have different approaches,” Samson said.

“When you have had a really good start in the powerplay, we actually phrase it very differently. The powerplay is different, the middle overs are different, and the death overs stage is different.

“So even if you’re chasing 170 and if you’ve got off to a flyer, we make sure that we kill the game in the powerplay itself. That’s what we have been doing really well in the last couple of years.”

The opener admitted that the approach would not work in every match but said India would continue to trust their methods and prioritise the team’s interests.

“That’s what we came up with and we try to do that every game. Sometimes it comes off nicely, sometimes it doesn’t, but we have to keep believing in ourselves and keep the team in front,” he added.

‘TRAVEL IN BUSINESS CLASS, STAY IN BIG HOTELS’

India’s packed schedule has left little time for recovery between assignments, but Samson said he would rather be playing regularly than sitting out games. He also credited the team’s preparation and fitness work for helping the players cope with the demands of international cricket.

India travelled to New Zealand soon after completing their five-match T20I series against the West Indies, whose final match was played in Bengaluru just five days before the Christchurch fixture. The team had also returned from Japan after winning the Asian Games before taking on the West Indies at home.

“Last couple of months, we have been playing a lot of games, but to be honest, I feel very lucky that we are playing games. I would prefer playing games instead of not playing games,” Samson said.

He revealed that a meeting following the England series in June and July had underlined the need for players to maintain their fitness with a demanding schedule ahead.

“After the England series, we had a very strong meeting where I think things were communicated very properly that we have a very tight schedule coming up, so make sure you do your fitness routines nicely,” he said.

“The team has put in some really proper work towards it and physically we are definitely in a great state, and mentally also. We travel in business class, we stay in really big hotels, so we can’t complain.”

Despite the short turnaround, Samson said the players had made a conscious effort to be ready for the opening match. He pointed to the work put in during training on Wednesday as evidence of the team’s determination to start the series well.

“Not only me, I could see each and every player putting in that extra effort yesterday, knowing that there is only one day to prepare, but we will make sure everything is 100 per cent before we go and play that game,” he added.

T20 WC PERFORMANCES BOOSTED CONFIDENCE

Samson also spoke about the impact of his performances in the business end of the T20 World Cup earlier this year, saying that contributing to important wins for India had strengthened his belief in his own game.

“When you play for your country and win crucial matches, your mental frame becomes a bit different,” he said.

“I have been very lucky that I got that a few months ago. It’s very important to have that confidence every time you walk out to bat for your country, so definitely it is there in my mind.”

India will look to build on their opening-match victory when they face New Zealand in the second T20I at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on October 24.

– Ends