Sanju Samson reveals how he thrived after 3-week heads-up from leadership group

India batter Sanju Samson revealed that he was given 3 weeks heads up that he would be opening for India in the T20I series against Bangladesh. In the post-match press conference after India’s incredible 3rd T20I win, Samson spoke about the role clarity given to him by the Indian leadership group which helped him be better prepared for the 3-match series.

The Rajasthan Royals captain revealed that after his twin ducks against Sri Lanka, the Indian team backed him to the hilt, despite doubts lingering in his own mind about his position in the T20I set-up. Samson said that after hearing about the opener’s spot, he went straight to the RR academy where he practised against the new ball to prepare for his role.

“Three weeks before the series, I was fortunate to get a message from the leadership group. I think Surya, Gautam bhai and Abhishek Nayar told me three weeks ago that I would be opening. That gave me some kind of proper preparation. I went back to Rajasthan Royals academy, I was playing lots and lots of new-ball bowlers. That preparation definitely helps you. I was coming in 10 per cent more ready in this series than any other series. I think that communication helps you to be prepared better,” Samson said in the post-match press conference.

India vs Bangladesh, 3rd T20I: Highlights | Full Scorecard

Samson was thankful to the Indian team’s leadership group – led by Suryakumar Yadav and Gautam Gambhir as they backed him despite his failures with the national set-up. Samson said that it was easy to fall into a trap of playing with selfish motivations and scoring some ‘personal runs’ without caring about the effect it could have on the team.

“I was a bit doubtful after a couple of ducks in Sri Lanka as to whether I would be getting a chance in the next series. But they backed me and they kept on saying ‘we will back you, no matter what’. I think we are committed as a batting group to dominate each and every opposition, bowling unit,” Samson said.

“It can get very tricky when you are competing in the big stage for cricket. Playing for India, it’s not easy. When you have those failures, you can easily go back and say ‘okay, mein apne liye thoda run bana letha hoon (I will score some runs for myself)’.But I like to be myself. I know what I am as a person, as a character. It’s all about my people, it’s all about my friends, it’s all about my team,” he further added.

Samson finished the series as the highest run-getter. Samson, courtesy of his century in the final T20I finished with 150 runs from 3 matches. The batter had gotten starts in the first two games but had not been able to convert them into a big score.