Sanju Samson created 'bubble' to cope with criticism

Sanju Samson, an amazing batting talent to have emerged from the country, says that it was annoying to always be on edge concerning his future as an Indian player. Samson has only played 16 ODIs and 53 T20Is so far despite making his debut back in 2015. The competition with established players for the role of wicketkeeper-batter and inconsistency with playing have hampered his international career.

His fortunes were changed for the better with his promotion in the batting order.

Samson showed what he was capable of when asked to open for India in the T20I by hitting three centuries in five innings to all but seal the spot. This happened after batting in the middle-order for a major part of his India career.

He was again pushed down the batting order with the return of Shubhman Gill to the T20I setup last year at the Asia Cup. However, he was again handed the role back after Gill's subsequent low returns.

The BCCI shared a video in which Samson shared his journey as an Indian player. He said:

“10 years of lots and lots of failures, few successes here and there, it has always been about understanding what it takes to be a World Cup cricketer for the Indian team, and I think, how badly do I want it. I like to go out and fail or succeed in my own way," 

He also said:

“Talking about the 2024 World Cup, I didn’t play a game. Yes, things were a bit up and down, to be very honest. It did not match the expectations that I set. But I was still very grateful that I made it into the 15. My journey is so special ki yaar pata nahi kab khelne ko milega (you never know when you’ll get the opportunity to play)."

Samson agreed that he made a 'bubble' around him to deal with the criticism and kept waiting for an opportunity to succeed.

Samson said:

“I think definitely a lot of ups and downs keep happening according to this format. I think we just have to keep pushing. It’s very hard not look at the outside noise when you are playing cricket in India and for the national team."

He added:

“But I made my bubble, I kept my people around me, and I kept focusing on all the little things, and I knew that my time would come."

It was unexpected by Samson that he would be changed from a middle-order batter to an opening batter for India.

He also said:

“With God’s grace, actually it happened, and out of nowhere I started opening. I think I came into the World Cup side as No. 3, 4, or 5, and from there, an opening slot opened up, and I got an opportunity to bat around 10 to 11 innings. So I did something special, which brought me into the Indian opening role,"