Team India wicketkeeper Sanju Samson has credited head coach Gautam Gambhir for his recent success in international cricket, following years of inconsistent performances. The Kerala cricketer praised Gambhir for offering unwavering support and instilling confidence in him to perform freely.
Samson (30) made his international debut in 2015 against Zimbabwe but spent several years being in and out of the white-ball squads. His breakthrough came with his first international century in an ODI against South Africa in Paarl in December 2023. He scored three centuries in his last five T20I innings.
In a recent conversation with AB de Villiers on the latter’s YouTube channel, Samson acknowledged the crucial role played by the current Indian head coach in his success, saying:
“When he came to the Indian team, in the dressing room he told me ‘Sanju, I know what you have. You have something special. I am going to be back you no matter what’. He told me to walk in, go out there and express myself in every innings. That kind of communication from the coach, that gave me clarity and confidence.”
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The keeper-batter expressed feeling deeply disappointed by his failures, as he was eager to repay the trust the head coach had placed in him.
“After few games of dismissals, you feel pressure because you have a guy who’s backing you and you are not performing. I thought ‘common Sanju, you need to show something and repay the faith the coach has in’,” the keeper-batter explained.
“By God’s grace, something special has happened. I want to continue scoring runs and win games for my country,” the talented 30-year-old went on to add.
“My first IPL team was KKR”- Samson reflecting on his long association with Gambhir
Prior to international cricket, Samson and Gambhir were acquainted through the Indian Premier League (IPL). Samson’s first IPL team was Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), where Gambhir was a former captain. Reflecting on his long association with Team India’s head coach, the Kerala cricketer said:
“Yeah, it has been. I had a decent relationship with Gautam Gambir right from a young age. My first IPL team was KKR. When I was 14, they picked me on their B team. At the age of 17, I made it to the KKR main side and that was when KKR won the Championship under Gautam Gambhir.”
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