Sanju Samson, a Life Dedicated to Cricket

Sanju Samson’s parents talk about his career so far - the 2014 tour of England and the elusive India recall.

Sanju Samson has been part of the Indian cricket structure since he played for India under-14.

(Photo: BCCI)

He only thinks about cricket. He lives only for cricket. His life is only cricket. He wants to do nothing but play cricket and help other cricketers.

Samson Viswanath, Sanju Samson’s father

A standout domestic and IPL season in 2013-14 and everyone who knew Sanju Samson thought his time had come. And it did, the Kerala keeper-batsman earned his maiden India call-up, for the big tour of England in 2014.

India won the ODI series 3-1 but there was no international debut for the quiet cricketer from Kerala.

India won the series after the first three ODIs. India won three straight matches but Sanju was not given a chance. That’s okay. But they did not let him play the fifth match either. After that, they left him out of the team.

Samson Viswanath, Sanju Samson’s father

Though he did make his T20I debut the next year, during India’s tour of Zimbabwe, Sanju Samson has not been able to find the same form that made him such a promising prospect four years back.

This year though, has been different. After finishing the Ranji season as Kerala’s top-scorer, Sanju has been instrumental in Rajasthan Royals’ campaign in their comeback season.

The Quint caught up with Sanju’s parents at his home in Trivandrum and got them to talk about the love for the game that Sanju has.

(The Quint is now on WhatsApp. To receive handpicked stories on topics you care about, subscribe to our WhatsApp services. Just go toTheQuint.com/WhatsApp and hit Send.)