Sanju Samson’s international journey has been anything but smooth. A talented right-hander known for his flair and timing, Samson made his international debut at the young age of 20. However, despite his potential, he never really got an extended run in the Indian team to showcase his talent on a consistent basis.
Things didn’t change much even during the 2024 T20 World Cup, where he was included in the squad but didn’t play a single match. It seemed like another opportunity slipping through his fingers. But post-World Cup, everything changed — and fast.
Gautam Gambhir’s Arrival Marked a Turning Point
Following the tournament, Gautam Gambhir took over the reins as India’s head coach from Rahul Dravid. With Gambhir at the helm and Suryakumar Yadav leading the T20I squad, Samson finally found himself backed by the leadership group.
In a conversation with R. Ashwin on his YouTube channel, Samson recalled how things turned around:
“I was in and out of the team for a long time. It wasn’t easy. I had been part of the setup for nearly eight to nine years but had played very few games. It was a confusing phase.”
Samson highlighted a pivotal moment when he met Suryakumar Yadav in Andhra Pradesh during a domestic game.
“Surya told me, ‘Chetta, there is an opportunity coming your way, get ready as an opener.’ Those words gave me hope,” he shared.
Despite the encouragement, Samson’s return didn’t start off smoothly. He opened the innings in two T20Is against Sri Lanka and was dismissed for ducks in both games. At that point, he feared the opportunity had slipped away again.
Gambhir’s Backing Changed Everything
But Gambhir wasn’t one to judge on short-term failures. “Gautam bhai came to me and asked what happened. I told him I couldn’t convert. He replied, ‘Even if you score 21 ducks, I won’t drop you from my team.’ That gave me a different level of confidence,” Samson revealed.
This unwavering support worked wonders for the Kerala cricketer. Across 2024 and 2025, Samson featured in 18 T20Is and made the most of the consistent backing — scoring three centuries and a fifty, including twin hundreds in South Africa, finally showing the world what he was capable of.
Samson admitted that he used his time away from the national team to reflect deeply on his career and life. “Earlier, I used to just go with the flow, telling myself that I had already played for India. But eventually, I realized that wasn’t enough. I kept asking myself, ‘What next?’ That mindset shift made a big difference,” he said.
The combination of Gambhir’s trust and Suryakumar’s leadership gave Samson the platform and mental space he needed. Now, with consistent performances under his belt, Samson has not only reignited his international career but also reshaped his future in Indian cricket.
