As he led India into the T20 World Cup semifinals with an incredible 97 not out on Sunday, Sanju Samson said he has learnt approaching a chase from greats such as Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni.
“I have been playing this format for a very long time. I think playing IPL around 10 to 12 years and playing for the country from last 10 years, I have not been playing (also), but looking from the dugout, learning from the greats like Virat Kohli, from Rohit Sharma, like all the greats,” PTI quoted Samson telling the broadcaster after the match.
“It’s very important to observe and learn and see what they were doing. I think that really helped me to, with my experience, I have only played maybe 50, 60 games, but I’ve seen around 100 games and I’ve seen how the greatest people have finished the games and how do they change their game according to the game.”
Samson acknowledged that the idea of “what if not” kept seeping into his thoughts, but he consistently forced himself to return to the present and responded to each ball on merit.
India defeated the West Indies by five wickets with four balls to spare thanks to Samson’s 50-ball knock, which included 12 fours and four sixes for an undefeated 97.
“There is always a question, what if not? So definitely that keeps on playing in your mind. But when that thought kept on coming, I just brought myself into the present moment and just looked at the ball and trusted myself to react according to the ball in merit so I think that worked out pretty well today,” Samson said.
After Suresh Raina’s 101 against South Africa in the 2010 tournament, Samson’s 97 not out is currently India’s second-highest individual score in T20 World Cup history, making it “one of the best days of his life.”
“It means the whole world, actually to me. Right from the day I started playing, started dreaming to play for the country, I think this is the day I was waiting for,” he said.
“I’m very grateful, very thankful. I’ve always had a very special journey with lots of ups and downs, but I’ve kept on doubting myself, kept on thinking, what if, what if, can I make it, can I make it? But I kept on believing and thanks to the Lord Almighty for actually blessing me today. I think this is one of the greatest days of my life” Samson said.
