Sanju Samson has revealed how his father’s bold decision to move the family from Delhi to Kerala after repeated selection setbacks in the capital transformed his career, calling it the defining moment in his journey to international cricket.
Speaking on JioStar‘s show Superstars, Samson recalled struggling to break into Delhi’s highly competitive age-group system despite consistently performing at trials.
“Back in school, I used to see friends wear the DDCA jacket and talk about playing for the state cricket team of Delhi. That motivated me. I wanted to represent Delhi too. I went for trials, attended state camps, and scored runs,” Samson said.
Despite making state camps on multiple occasions, the breakthrough never came. Samson said one particular
rejection prompted his father, Viswanathan, to make a life-changing decision.
“Two or three times I made it to the camp but never got a breakthrough into the state team. The competition was tough. Then one day, the team list was announced after my trials had ended. My name was not there.”
“As soon as we reached home, my father told my mother, ‘We will have to move to Kerala. We are shifting.’ My mother said, ‘The kids are only in 6th standard. Let them complete 10th.’ My father said, ‘No, we have to go now. Pack your things. I am booking tickets in three days.’ He took that decision instantly.”
The move proved decisive, with Samson eventually rising through Kerala’s ranks before making his India debut.
“We all boarded the train. Then we reached Kerala and I started playing for Kerala. That is how my cricket journey for the Kerala State team began,” he said.
Samson also reflected on his childhood in Delhi’s GTB Nagar police colony, where his love for cricket first developed. Although his father represented the Delhi Police football team, he recognised his son’s batting ability early and encouraged both Sanju and his brother to pursue cricket instead.
The India wicketkeeper-batter also shared a cherished memory of practising at the then Feroz Shah Kotla, now the Arun Jaitley Stadium, after his father, who was on police duty, arranged special access to the nets.
“I don’t know, it must have been a big blessing. I don’t know how my father managed it, but nowadays they don’t allow such things,” Samson recalled.
