Sanju Samson on quitting the ‘rat race’ and playing on his own terms

By Sanjay Menon — 27 July 2026 — 4 min read

Sanju Samson, named Player of the Tournament in the recent ICC T20 World Cup, has opened up about his decision to step away from cricket’s “rat race” and play on his own terms. The wicketkeeper-batter revealed that advice from Virat Kohli influenced his approach to fitness and discipline, but a more significant shift in his career came from a personal decision to redefine his playing philosophy.

Samson, who finished as India’s highest run-scorer with 321 runs in the tournament, reflected on the conversations and choices that shaped his journey. He highlighted a particular interaction with Kohli during an India camp, where he sought guidance on his career path.

Kohli’s influence and a shift in mindset

Samson recounted asking Kohli for advice, to which Kohli emphasised the importance of lifestyle. Kohli reportedly told him, “If you want to become an international cricketer, you must maintain a different kind of lifestyle.” He shared insights into his own routine, detailing which foods aid recovery and which do not. Kohli stressed that maintaining this discipline for a decade could lead to a great career. Samson attempted to follow this advice for a period but found it challenging to sustain.

Despite Kohli’s influence on his fitness approach, Samson stated that the most significant change occurred before the 2026 T20 World Cup. At that time, he found himself behind Ishan Kishan in India’s selection hierarchy. Instead of focusing on selection anxieties, Samson decided to take control of his own game.

He explained, “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.” Samson, who is 31, expressed gratitude for his achievements and his desire to play on his own terms for the remaining years of his career. He firmly stated, “No one will tell me how to bat or what to do. Sanju will decide for Sanju.”

Confidence in crucial matches

This newfound freedom, according to Samson, helped him rediscover the joy of batting. His performance in the T20 World Cup saw him deliver successive half-centuries from a crucial match against the West Indies through to the final against New Zealand, contributing to India’s title victory.

Samson also shared insights into his mindset during the ICC T20 World Cup semi-final against England, where he faced pacer Jofra Archer. Despite past struggles against Archer, Samson went into the match with strong self-belief. He recalled being reminded by others about Archer’s previous successes against him, but he maintained his confidence internally.

During that semi-final, Samson scored 89 runs off 42 balls, including 38 runs off 14 balls against Archer, featuring three fours and four sixes. This innings helped India reach 253/7, with England falling seven runs short. Samson’s unbeaten 97* against the West Indies in the virtual quarter-final had significantly boosted his morale and confidence leading into the England match.

He explained that the innings against the West Indies provided him with significant self-validation. “I knew that this Sanju Samson was not the Sanju Samson from a year ago,” he stated, adding that there was “no room for doubt” in his mind about performing for his country.

In the final against New Zealand, Samson acknowledged feeling the weight of responsibility as the batter in form. He consistently reminded himself, “Sanju, you are responsible. You need to keep going. You must stay there till the end and finish the job for your country.”

His confidence from previous games allowed him to be patient, even facing four dot balls against Mitchell Santner in the final. He felt assured that he could compensate with boundaries later in the innings, a clarity he attributed to lessons learned from the West Indies and England matches. Samson also praised his teammates, including Ishan Kishan and Jasprit Bumrah, for their contributions to India’s success.

Looking ahead, Samson stated that he is not planning for the 2028 T20 World Cup. He noted that after the 2024 World Cup, he did not expect to play in the 2026 World Cup, having been out of the squad at one point. He prefers to enjoy the present, be a good teammate, and support the group in his own way, remaining grateful for his achievements.

Source: m.rediff.com