Home
Sanju Samson is a cult hero. On March 1, Samson played the innings of a lifetime, realising his talent on the big stage, doing what heroes do, doing what he always envisioned. The Kerala-born Samson’s story is nothing short of a Bollywood/Hollywood flick. Given a chance in 2016, spent years on sidelines, kept proving his mettle in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and watched the greats do what he hoped to do one day. But, as Suryakumar Yadav said, “Good things happen to good people who wait.”
When Samson finished the game, he did not run around punching his gloves in the air. He was relieved. He was overwhelmed with emotions. Like the reels we watch on Instagram, there is no background music when it comes to real life. In the numb stage of glory, Samson overcame flashbacks of ‘What ifs’ to living in the moment and Carpe deim (seize the moment).
After guiding India to the T20 World Cup semifinals, Samson hugged his teammates and went back to the dressing room. In an emotional embrace, he thanked the almighty and kissed his bat for a job well done.
The justice phase
But, Samson didn’t always do justice to himself. He laid bare his emotions in the post-match presentation. There was a long time when Samson couldn't make the team. His ardent followers ran 'justice for Sanju Samson' campaigns on social media, asking the selectors and team management, 'Why not him?'. Every time he was dropped there was an uproar on social media. After a long time, Samson got a seat in the squad, in fact a T20 World Cup-winning one. But, he didn’t get his glory moment. He remained on the bench and observed legends like a watcher, wondering about what ifs.
Samson learns on the bench
Samson learned a lot of lessons and when the greats (Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma) left, it was his time to sit for the exam. New head coach Gautam Gambhir has had faith in him. In the past, he had also questioned why Samson didn’t get a place in the squad, calling him the best wicketkeeper-batter in India. He was assured of a place and he repaid selectors' faith with three centuries, including two against South Africa in 2024.
Samson gets a place of his own
Everything seemed to be going well for Samson but once again, like any other Bollywood/Hollywood movie, there were setbacks for the protagonist. The pace caused problems, the injury didn’t help him either and in a matter of few months, he lost his opening spot. Shubman Gill, the vice-captain returned and took the opening spot. Samson found himself on the bench again or batting out of place in a flexible batting order where he thought he had cemented the opening spot.
Out of place, out of form
For most of the times, Samson had a smile on his face. He always wanted to be a team man so he carried on. The T20 Asia Cup 2025 wasn't his best but his cameos, including the one against Pakistan in the final, gave him some confidence. With Gill struggling, Samson came off the bench against South Africa and seized the moment. Many thought that he is set to open in the World Cup with Gill dropped but then Ishan Kishan stormed into the side, a much-deserved spot for his relentless grind in domestic cricket.
Kishan returned but Samson was given a longer run. He struggled against pace again. The Kiwis didn’t let him fly and he was grounded again. The Abhishek Sharma-Kishan duo became the popular and obvious choice given their destructive nature. It led to many wondering whether this is it for Samson?
Samson overcomes ghosts of the past
Samson may have seen history repeating himself. It was tough for him to remain unperturbed. A southpaw wicketkeeper has replaced him yet again. But, there was something else brewing. An upset stomach paved the way for his return. He got a good start but was restricted to an 8-ball 22 cameo. The short ball problem continued to haunt him.
Abhishek recovered but his form didn’t. Kishan bailed out India against Pakistan. Abhishek’s struggle combined with India’s new-found chink in the armour, an unusual problem of left-handers against off-spin was highlighted in the World Cup. South Africa bowling attack and think tank were spot-on in their planning exploited that chink and dismantled the armour. The drubbing demanded a need for Samson’s return.
In the must-win game, Samson was called upon for a quick fix. He did solve the off-spin issue but fell for a 15-ball 24 to Blessing Muzarabani. He fell to the trap again. Short ball, mistimed pull shot and the fielder stationed at deep midwicket. But, considering the off-spin issue, Samson got the nod for another must-win game, the unpredictable West Indies.
Lessons from the legends come in handy
While the starts followed the team’s templates, they needed someone at the crease longer. The run chase against Shai Hope’s men was presented as the perfect opportunity. Similar to what Sachin Tendulkar did in 2004 Sydney Test by abandoning cover drive, Samson let his determination take over instincts by avoiding the nervy, at times half-hearted and ill-timed pull shot.
Samson played the situation, not just the bowler. Wickets fell, he did not look flamboyant but there were flashes of brilliance. He did get support from the end because he didn’t always look for the big shots. That’s where the learnings from greats Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni handling the pressure came to his aid, almost as if Hanuman was reminded of his powers when he crossed the sea to get to Sri Lanka.
A bit fidgety but as determined as ever, Samson marched on. He absorbed the pressure like his predecessors had and guided India home. As fate would have it, the man who called him the best wicketkeeper-batter in India, was in the dugout watching his 97-run knock in a World Cup run chase.
Many would be tempted to say that life has come full circle for Samson. But, as his new Chennai Super Kings (CSK) batting coach Mike Hussey was a late bloomer, this might be Samson doing justice to himself in a league of his own, taking his fantastic first steps.
ADVERTISEMENT
