Samson steps away from India’s selection rat race

Sanju Samson says he has stopped worrying about outside opinions and wants to play cricket on his own terms. The India wicketkeeper-batter said he decided before the 2026 T20 World Cup that he would not be part of the “rat race”.

Samson scored three consecutive fifties as India retained the Men’s T20 World Cup title earlier this year, and was later left out of the Zimbabwe tour after a dip in form during the Ireland and England series. Speaking on JioHotstar, as quoted by IANS in Source B, he said he had already made up his mind about how he wanted to go about the game.

“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 added that he would continue to support the team, but only in his own way. After the 2024 World Cup, he said, he did not 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,” he said.

Virat Kohli’s Advice on Discipline and High-Performance Lifestyle

Samson also spoke about a chat with Virat Kohli during a national team camp. He said Kohli told him that discipline and lifestyle were important if he wanted a long international career.

“We all know how Virat bhai is. He is very clear and very straightforward with everyone. If you need to do something, he will tell you exactly what is required. The way he carries himself in the gym, there is a different fire in that guy and I really love that about him,” Samson said.

He added: “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.

He shared what works for him on his journey and told me, 'This food will help your body recover, this won't. If you maintain this discipline for the next 10 years, you will have a great career ahead.' I started following it for a year, a year, and a half, but after that, I couldn't stay on track with that anymore!”

He also looked back at the T20 World Cup semi-final against England at the Wankhede Stadium, saying he ignored talk about his past record against Jofra Archer because he believed he had improved as a batter.

Samson said people kept reminding him that Archer had got him out “3-4 times previously”, but he did not speak out. “If you talk too much, you come across as arrogant, and that goes against my belief,” he said.

He added that after “that West Indies knock” he had “a lot of self-validation” and no room for doubt. Looking back at the World Cup final against New Zealand, he said he felt responsible for carrying India’s batting after becoming the team’s main run-scorer during the tournament.

“I kept reminding myself, 'Sanju, you are responsible. You need to keep going. You must stay there till the end and finish the job for your country.' That thought kept me focused throughout the innings,” he said.

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