Sanju Samson on T20 WC form: Stay grounded, play fearless cricket
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
India wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson on Saturday, 17 October said his T20 World Cup performances had given him deeper insight into his own game, and that he aims to stay grounded while continuing to play fearless cricket. The comments came during a rain delay at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, where the fifth and final T20I against the West Indies was held up.
Confidence from the World Cup
Samson was named Player of the Tournament at this year's T20 World Cup triumph — a recognition that has, by his own account, reshaped how he approaches the shortest format. Though his run of form has been inconsistent since, the Indian team has continued to back him.
'It definitely gives you a lot of confidence. After that, you start understanding your own patterns. You focus on your process, reduce the outside noise, and figure out your own way of creating the best environment in your mind to go out there and perform,' Samson said in a conversation with former India leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal on the Hindi broadcast feed.
'Sometimes you score runs, and sometimes you don't. So, I try to understand that, stay grounded, and continue playing fearless cricket,' he added.
Rain Delay and the Dressing Room Mood
Asked what runs through a player's mind when rain refuses to relent, Samson struck a lighter note. 'We're missing someone like you (Chahal) in the dressing room! Someone who can keep the atmosphere light,' he told Chahal with good humour.
Samson also noted that overthinking is not the answer during a weather hold-up. 'Ravi Bishnoi and Arshdeep Singh are keeping themselves occupied, so you know how things go in the dressing room,' he said, giving a glimpse into the squad's casual camaraderie on the sidelines.
Eyes on the New Zealand Series
With a five-match T20I series against New Zealand starting 22 October, Samson acknowledged that the packed international calendar leaves minimal preparation time. 'To be very honest, with the way the schedule is structured these days, you don't get much time to practice or prepare. That's where your experience comes in,' he said.
The squad is set to arrive in New Zealand on 20 October, with a single practice session on 21 October before the opening match the next day. 'It takes a little time to adjust to the conditions there, so we'll take two or three balls to assess them. We'll follow the things we've learned through experience and play while respecting the conditions,' Samson concluded.
Carrying Good Things Forward
Samson's comments reflect a broader theme within the current Indian T20 setup — placing process above results, especially through a congested tour schedule. Notably, his World Cup Player of the Tournament award marked a career-defining moment, and how he builds on it across the New Zealand rubber will be closely watched by selectors ahead of future ICC cycles.