Star batsman Sanju Samson, who helped India lift the T20 World Cup, on Monday said he approached the tournament with a different game plan that helped him regain form. He was speaking to reporters after returning to Thiruvananthapuram following India’s World Cup triumph.
Samson, who won the Man of the Tournament award, received a grand welcome at the airport. Hundreds of cricket fans gathered outside the airport to welcome him.
Speaking about the change in his batting approach, Samson said with a smile that earlier he had tried to attack every ball and often got out. “I tried to hit every ball, but it did not work. Then I had to learn from those failures. In the five-match series, I tried to increase my strike rate, but it didn't work. Then I prepared with a different game plan for the World Cup,” he said.
Asked about his post-match revelation that he had spoken to Sachin Tendulkar to revive his form, Samson said it was a feeling he could not describe. “We were in touch as I had been sending him messages for the past few years. We also spoke when we met during the IPL,” he said.
Samson said that when he was struggling with his form, the first name that came to his mind for advice was Tendulkar. “When I contacted him, he genuinely connected with me. He spoke to me for about 25 minutes, describing what had happened in his career, what to think during difficult moments, how to practise and how to handle situations. It genuinely helped me,” Samson said.
He said he had kept his phone switched off for the past one month. “When I cut it off, the outside noise could be controlled. When the World Cup is happening in the country, there is a lot of outside noise. I cut it off and focused on cricket,” said Samson, whose social media accounts are handled by a team.
Samson said the last time he left Thiruvananthapuram, it was after a poor run of form leading up to the World Cup. “But such a twist was unexpected. We are happy now. I have no words to express my gratitude to supporters,” he said.
“Not even now, when I was not selected in the team, when I was in the team, or when I did not perform, people stood with me during my setbacks. I felt a responsibility to give back for their support. I dedicate this performance to the people of the state,” he added.
Samson said his heart was filled with gratitude at the moment. “In cricket, we can perform well at times, and sometimes we lose. My wife used to show me videos and reels of genuine support and prayers from people. My eyes would fill with tears seeing that, and I wondered whether I deserved such love,” he said.
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