Sanju Samson said he approached the T20 World Cup with a new game plan that helped him regain form and play a key role in India’s title triumph. The star batsman spoke to reporters on Monday after returning to Thiruvananthapuram following the World Cup victory.
Samson, who was named the Man of the Tournament, received a grand welcome at the airport. V Sivankutty, Kerala’s Education Minister, greeted him on arrival in the evening as hundreds of cricket fans gathered outside the airport, raising slogans in support of the Kerala cricketer.
Reflecting on his change in batting approach, Samson said earlier he had tried to attack every ball, which often led to his dismissals.
“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.
Samson also spoke about seeking advice from
Sachin Tendulkar during a difficult phase in his career, describing the experience as unforgettable.
“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.
According to Samson, Tendulkar was the first person he thought of approaching when he struggled with his form.
“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 added that after losing form during the New Zealand series, he reached out to Tendulkar again and received further guidance.
“Even a day before the World Cup final, he contacted me and asked whether everything was ready. It is not something everyone gets, and I am very happy about it,” he said, adding that Tendulkar congratulated him after the final victory.
Samson also spoke about the impact of social media on players, saying it can influence them both positively and negatively.
“Youngsters should learn how to handle it well. From social media, I understood how much people love me. But when things go the other way, one should open social media only if one can bear it,” he said.
To stay focused during the tournament, Samson said he had kept his phone switched off for the past month.
He added that his social media accounts are managed by a team.
“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,” he said.
Samson said the last time he left Thiruvananthapuram was after a poor run of form ahead of the World Cup.
“But such a twist was unexpected. We are happy now,” he said.
Expressing gratitude to his supporters, Samson said their unwavering support meant a lot to him.
“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 said.
Samson said he was overwhelmed by the love he had received from fans.
“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.
He said he planned to spend a couple of days with his parents if time permitted after his media commitments.
“I was told there may be an event in New Delhi as part of the World Cup victory celebrations the next day. That will be confirmed soon. Then I may have to go for it,” he said.