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Sanju Samson‘s cricketing journey has been nothing short of a rollercoaster ride. Initially hailed as the successor to the legendary MS Dhoni, Samson faced setbacks due to inconsistent performances and limited opportunities. The emergence of Rishabh Pant as India’s primary wicketkeeper-batter pushed Samson down the pecking order.
World Cup 2023 snub: Navigating setbacks
A major setback came when the 29-year-old was omitted from the squad for the ODI World Cup 2023, seemingly pushing him further down the hierarchy of white-ball wicketkeepers. Despite the setback, Samson showcased resilience and determination.
Paarl redemption: Sanju Samson’s comeback
The ODI series decider against South Africa at Paarl became the stage for Samson’s redemption. Batting at No. 3, he played a stellar innings, scoring a magnificent 108 off 114 deliveries on a challenging pitch. This knock not only secured India’s victory but also reinstated Samson’s prowess on the international stage. Samson was awarded with Player of the match award for his heroic knock against the Proteas.
Also READ: SA vs IND: Sanjay Manjrekar points out the ‘standout player’ for India in the ODI series against South Africa
Sanju Samson’s strategy for overcoming failures and non-selection
After the series, Samson conveyed his commitment to focusing solely on the aspects he can control, rather than getting bogged down by performance setbacks or selection decisions. He highlighted the hard work invested in his game over the past few months, with the Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT) 2023 serving as a crucial platform for his resurgence.
“Being an Indian cricketer, and with all the media pressure and what goes on and off the field, it is very challenging to keep your mind in the present, being real. I like to focus on what’s in my control. People might have different choices but it’s all about what you want to improve. Whatever setbacks I had, my failures, and whatever selections I missed out on… I don’t like to complain like the people who have done for me,” Samson was quoted as saying by the Hindustan Times.
“I always look within myself and ask, what else can I improve? Are you not patient enough? Are you not playing on the merit? I worked really hard with the Kerala team in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. It’s all about taking control of the controllable, and how much you can capitalize on,” the Pulluvila-born cricketer concluded.
Vijay Hazare triumph: Road to recovery
Samson’s journey to redemption involved a significant contribution in domestic cricket. Playing for Kerala in the VHT 2023, he amassed 293 runs in eight games at an impressive average of 48.83 and a strike rate of 87.98. This successful stint played a pivotal role in preparing him for the challenges of the ODI series.
