Regarded as one of the most talented batters in India currently, Sanju Samson finally lived up to expectations and more as she scored his maiden T20I ton. Samson’s ton propelled led India to a record-breaking score of 297/6, the highest by a Test-playing nation in T20Is. After India’s one-sided 133-run win, Samson was named ‘Player of the match’. The Rajasthan Royals (RR) captain recalled how disappointed he felt after two ducks in the previous series but the support from captain Suryakumar Yadav and head coach Gautam Gambhir led to a record-breaking performance.
“The dressing room and the leadership group which we have, they keep telling me, "I know what type of talent you have and we back you no matter what," Not in words, in actions also they've shown me. In the last series I got two ducks and went back to Kerala thinking, "kya hoga bhai," but they backed me in this series and I am very happy that I gave something to smile for my captain and coach,” Samson said in the post-match presentation.
5 sixes in an over was on Samson’s radar for a long time
The 29-year-old became the first Indian wicketkeeper-batter to score a T20I century. He reached three figures in just 40 balls, the second-fastest by an Indian batter after former T20I captain Rohit Sharma. During the knock, he hit five sixes off leg-spinner Rishad Hossain. He revealed that it is something he has been trying to do for a long time.
“It has a long story. I have been trying to do something like this (five sixes in an over) from last one year. I was chasing it and it happened today,” the Kerala-born batter revealed.
Samson opens up on internal struggles
Samson was elated to see his teammates cheering for him. He opened up about the internal struggles as often he would squander opportunities and not justify his talent by throwing his wicket away.
“The dressing room energy and the boys really have lots of happiness for me. I am very happy. They are happy that I did well. It can get frustrating knowing what you can do out there and the way I have been batting, I thought that could have done much better. Those thoughts keep coming in your head. With lot of experience and so many games I have played, I know how to deal with the pressure and failures. I have failed a lot, so I know how to manage my mind accordingly,” the 29-year-old said.
“I keep telling myself I just need focus on the process, keep doing my training, keep believing in myself and one day it'll come soon. Playing for the country, you come in with a lot of pressure. That pressure was there, I wanted to perform and I wanted to show what I am capable of. I kept reminding myself I just need to keep it as basic as possible, focus on one ball at a time, keep playing my shots,” he added.
