Samson Shines Bright with His Own Terms

It’s not every day that Suryakumar Yadav finds himself overshadowed, especially after scoring a blistering 75 off 35 balls. However, the third T20I against Bangladesh saw Sanju Samson steal the show with a scintillating knock, making Yadav's innings look secondary. Opening the batting in Hyderabad, a city renowned for producing stylish cricketers, Samson played a breathtaking innings, scoring 111 off just 47 balls, displaying an array of elegant strokes.

A Masterclass in Batting

Samson’s ton, the second-fastest T20I hundred by an Indian, came off just 40 deliveries and set the foundation for India’s highest-ever T20 total of 297 for 6. His innings was a masterclass in both timing and placement, making batting seem effortless. The way he manipulated the crease throughout his knock was a sight to behold.

In the second over, facing Taskin Ahmed, Samson made full use of the crease. He stepped towards the leg side, creating space, and effortlessly drove a full, straight delivery through the covers for four. Taskin adjusted, shortening his length and tightening his line. However, Samson was ready once again, backing away and punching the ball inside out for another boundary. The next two deliveries were also dispatched for fours, as Samson plundered 16 runs from Taskin's first over. Remarkably, in the previous game, the same bowler had taken all four overs to concede that many runs.

With Taskin’s line disrupted, Samson turned his attention to Mustafizur Rahman, playing with his length and footwork. When faced with a slower ball, Samson danced down the pitch, launching it straight over the bowler’s head for a six. In the following over, he went deep into his crease, using the back foot to loft another delivery over extra cover for another maximum. Though Suryakumar Yadav was showcasing his famous 360-degree strokeplay at the other end, Samson’s clean, powerful hitting made a strong case for the shot of the day.

Against leg-spinner Rishad Hossain, Samson didn’t need to move around much, as the bowler offered full-length deliveries. Samson nonchalantly hit four consecutive sixes over the bowler’s head. For the final ball of the over, Rishad changed his angle, coming around the wicket, but it made no difference as Samson pulled it over midwicket for a fifth consecutive six. After this powerful display, Samson could be seen celebrating with a small fist pump. Later, he shared the motivation behind it, mentioning that for the past two years, he had been training to hit six sixes in an over. Working with his mentor, Raiphi Gomez, he had visualised such feats during practice and felt grateful to have nearly achieved that milestone in the match.

Samson’s innings featured 11 fours and 8 sixes, but it wasn’t just his boundaries that left an impression. After reaching his fifty, he let out an aggressive air punch, a release of frustration built up over years of missed opportunities and unrealised potential.

Samson’s story is one of unfulfilled promise, a career that had long been underwhelming since his T20I debut in 2015. Despite the early excitement surrounding his talent, he had only managed 483 runs in 32 matches prior to this game, with a modest average of 19.32 and a strike rate of 132.69.

Overcoming Struggles

The narrative around Samson’s career has been mixed. On one hand, he rarely got an extended run in the national team to prove his worth. On the other hand, even in the Indian Premier League (IPL), where he displayed flashes of brilliance, he had been unable to sustain consistency. Often, he would start strong but lose momentum as the tournament progressed.

However, the tides began to turn in IPL 2024, where Samson found his form, finishing fifth on the list of top run-scorers. He amassed 531 runs at an average of 48.27 with a strike rate of 153.46, reminding everyone of his potential. This performance earned him a spot in India’s squad for the 2024 T20 World Cup. Unfortunately, with Rishabh Pant preferred as the first-choice wicketkeeper, Samson remained on the bench throughout the tournament.

Following the World Cup, Samson had another opportunity during India’s tour of Zimbabwe, where he scored a valuable 58 off 45 balls in the fifth T20I. However, a couple of ducks in subsequent games in Sri Lanka placed him under immense pressure. Samson admitted feeling the weight of expectations. He explained that when playing for the national team, failure in a few games can make it hard to bounce back. 

Backing from Team Leadership

Despite the struggles, Samson credited the team’s leadership for backing him. He recalled how the captain, Suryakumar Yadav, and coach, Gautam Gambhir, assured him of their faith in his abilities. Their support wasn’t just verbal; they stood by him even after his disappointing outings in Sri Lanka. Samson revealed his relief at being given another opportunity in the series against Bangladesh, admitting that he had been unsure if he would get another chance so soon.

What also helped was the clarity about his role in the team. Samson shared that the leadership group had informed him three weeks before the series that he would be opening the innings. This gave him ample time to prepare mentally and physically. He dedicated time at the Rajasthan Royals academy, facing plenty of new-ball bowlers in preparation for his new role. This meticulous preparation, he believed, helped him come into the series feeling more ready than ever.

Even in the first T20I of the series, Samson had shown good form, but after scoring 29 off 19, he was dismissed trying to clear deep midwicket. Frustrated, he screamed in anger while walking back. Samson acknowledged that he could have batted conservatively to reach a half-century, but that would have gone against both his natural game and the team’s approach.

Samson reflected on the difficulties of playing for India, noting that when the pressure is on, it’s easy to fall into the trap of playing for individual runs rather than the team’s needs. However, he emphasised the importance of staying true to his character and playing in a way that aligned with his values. "For me, it's always about the people around me – my friends, my team. I want to succeed or fail on my terms, knowing I stayed true to myself," he shared. Samson’s commitment to being authentic, even in the face of adversity, has been a defining feature of his career.

With his explosive hundred in Hyderabad, Samson has undoubtedly turned the page on what has been a story of unrealised potential. Whether this signals the start of a new chapter remains to be seen, but one thing is certain – he has reminded the cricketing world of his immense talent and capability.