India wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson has revealed that he made a personal vow to play cricket entirely on his own terms before the 2026 T20 World Cup — a tournament in which he went on to play a central role in India's title defence on home soil. Speaking on JioStar's show 'Believe', Samson said he had consciously stepped away from what he described as a 'constant rat race' in Indian cricket and would continue to back his instincts above all else.

The Vow Behind the Glory

Samson, now 31, etched his name into Indian cricket folklore during the 2026 T20 World Cup, smashing three consecutive fifties to help the side retain the Men's T20 World Cup title. Yet the road was far from smooth — a brief dip in form during matches against Ireland and England saw him omitted from the subsequent tour of Zimbabwe.

'I realised that there is a constant rat race in our country, and I decided before the 2026 T20 World Cup that I would not be part of it. I just want to enjoy the game. By God's grace, I have achieved a lot. I am 31 now, and I have a few years left. So, I have decided to play on my own terms. No one will tell me how to bat or what to do. Sanju will decide for Sanju,' he said.

He added: 'After the 2024 World Cup, I didn't even expect to play in the 2026 World Cup. I wasn't in the 14 or 15-man squad at one point. So how can I plan for 2028? If I'm there, if the team needs me, and if I'm playing well, things will fall into place. If not, I am deeply grateful. No one can take this achievement away from me.'

The Virat Kohli Gym Conversation

Samson also recalled a candid exchange with former India captain Virat Kohli during a national team camp that shaped his approach to fitness and lifestyle. The two were training together in the gym when Samson sought advice.

'We both were working out together in the gym during an Indian team camp and I asked him, 'Paaji, what should I do? Tell me something too!' and he told me that lifestyle plays a huge role. If you want to become an international cricketer, you must maintain a different kind of lifestyle,' Samson recounted.

According to Samson, Kohli shared dietary and recovery habits from his own journey, advising that sustained discipline over a decade could define a career. Samson admitted he followed the regimen for about a year and a half before finding it difficult to maintain — a candid admission that underscores his broader philosophy of playing on his own terms rather than adopting a prescribed template.

Facing Jofra Archer in the Semi-Final

Ahead of the high-stakes T20 World Cup semi-final against England at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, Samson said he tuned out warnings about his record against England quick Jofra Archer, who had dismissed him multiple times previously.

'A lot of people were coming and telling me, 'It's England, Archer is bowling, he got you out 3-4 times previously, this happened, that happened.' But I was confident. I didn't say anything out loud. If you talk too much, you come across as arrogant, and that goes against my belief. So, I just gestured quietly, 'Yeah, we'll see.' But I had my plans ready. I knew that this Sanju Samson was not the Sanju Samson from a year ago,' he said, crediting a knock against the West Indies earlier in the tournament as the moment that cemented his self-belief.

Carrying the Burden in the Final Against New Zealand

In the T20 World Cup final against New Zealand in Ahmedabad, Samson described feeling the weight of being India's primary run-scorer at a critical juncture. He recalled facing four consecutive dot balls from New Zealand skipper Mitchell Santner without panic — a composure he attributed to lessons learned from earlier knockout rounds.

'In the past, after four dot balls against Santner, I would have swung on the fifth out of panic. But the previous games against West Indies and England taught me that taking time and playing dot balls is okay. Your team needs you to stay out there, and you know your game plan,' he explained.

He added that he kept reminding himself: 'Sanju, you are responsible. You need to keep going. You must stay there till the end and finish the job for your country.'

Saluting Bumrah and the Team

Samson signed off by crediting teammates for India's title triumph, singling out Ishan Kishan and, in particular, Jasprit Bumrah. 'He's a pure cheat code and without that cheat code, we wouldn't have gotten past England, and in the final, the start he provided was crucial. Everyone played their part, and I'm very happy I contributed the way I did,' Samson said.

With India's next major T20 cycle already underway, Samson's mindset — grounded, self-directed, and free of external expectation — could prove as decisive as any innings he plays.