Indian wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson has attributed his recent success in T20I cricket to the unwavering support and clarity provided by head coach
Gautam Gambhir and T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav.
Speaking on Ravichandran Ashwin's YouTube channel, Kutti Stories with Ash, Samson revealed how Gambhir's encouragement helped him overcome a challenging phase in his international career.
Following two consecutive ducks in the T20I series against Sri Lanka in 2024, Samson admitted to feeling uncertain about his place in the team.
"I know this thing, being on and off from the team and all those things were happening for a very long period of time, so honestly, I feel like it was not easy," he said. However, a conversation with Gambhir shifted his perspective. "Gauti bhai saw me and asked what happened," Samson recounted.
"I told him I didn't capitalise on my chances. He just said, 'So? I will remove you from the team only if you score 21 ducks. ' That kind of confidence from a captain and coach helped me to do what I did later on. "
Samson also highlighted the role of Suryakumar Yadav in providing him with a consistent opportunity as an opener. "Chetta, there is a good opportunity coming for you," Suryakumar told him during a Duleep Trophy match in Andhra. "We have seven games lined up, and I am going to give you all seven games as an opener. "
"Hearing that from the captain was a great feeling. I really felt safe, which helped me to score runs after that," the Kerala-born added.
The trust from Gambhir, a mentor since Samson's days with Kolkata Knight Riders, was particularly significant.
"When he came to the Indian team, in the dressing room he told me, 'Sanju, I know what you have. You have something special. I am going to back you no matter what'," Samson said in an interview with AB de Villiers.
"He told me to walk in, go out there and express myself in every innings. That kind of communication from the coach, that gave me clarity and confidence. "
This backing translated into remarkable performances, including a match-winning 111 off 47 balls against Bangladesh in Hyderabad in October 2024, and two centuries against South Africa later that year. Samson became the first batter to score three T20I centuries in a calendar year, amassing 861 runs in 42 T20Is at an average of 25.32 and a strike rate of 152.38.
Despite his international success, Samson's future with Rajasthan Royals, his IPL franchise since 2013, remains uncertain amid reports of a potential trade request. However, his focus remains on leveraging the confidence instilled by Gambhir and Suryakumar to cement his place in the Indian team.
