“It’s very tough, it definitely gets into your head” Sanju Samson on being in and out of the Indian team

Wicket-keeper batter Sanju Samson ( Image Source: Getty Images )

Indian wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson says it has been “tough” for him to remain on the sidelines throughout in his international career but he prefers to stay positive.

“It’s very tough, it definitely gets into your head when you know that all your friends are playing and you’re not,” Samson said.

Despite playing so little, Samson said he’s fortunate to have a “good fan following”.

“I feel surprised (on his fan following) that despite playing very little for India, I get good support.” Samson, who took three catches, anchored India’s 162-run chase with an unbeaten 43 not out to return with the man-of-the-match in India’s series-clinching second ODI against Zimbabwe here on Saturday.

“I was really pumped up to be there in a pressure situation (in the second ODI) and they were also bowling well. I really enjoyed the time in the middle.

“I am a believer that whatever you go through in your career, you have to take it in a positive manner. I really enjoyed playing domestic cricket for the last four-five years.”

“It is challenging to do well there and that has made me a better player,” said Samson before the third and final ODI to the broadcasters.”

“It (IPL) has changed my perspective towards cricket. Earlier I used to think only about my batting, my game. Captaincy helps bring about a different mindset – think about others as well apart from your game.” Samson said

“I feel surprised [on his fan following] that despite playing very little for India, I get good support. I feel there,” he added

Samson was adjudged as ‘Man of the Match for his 43* off 39 balls.

Asked by Rohan Gavaskar if he was disappointed being in and out of the side, Samson, who will not be traveling to the UAE for the Asia Cup said, “To be very honest, I believe everything you go through impacts you in a positive manner.

“It was tough watching all your friends play for the country, but I really enjoyed playing those domestic games in that period.” (H/T Times Now)

“I haven’t got much time in the middle, so I wanted to test myself in a pressure situation. They were bowling some really good bouncers, but I really enjoyed my time in the middle,” he said on the knock in the second ODI.”

Sanju also spoke about the support he got on the Zimbabwe tour where there were chants of support from the Malayali crowd for him

Samson said that he is proud to hear cheers of ‘Chetta Chetta’ from the Malayali fans from the stand.

“I feel there are a lot of Malayalis (in the crowd) as I hear cheers of ‘Chetta Chetta’ (elder brother) which make me feel proud,” he said.

A right-handed top-order batter and wicketkeeper, he was the vice-captain of the Indian U-19 team for the 2014 Under-19 Cricket World Cup.

He made his India debut in 2015 away T20I against Zimbabwe. He made his ODI debut in 2021 against Sri Lanka.

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