Sun Nov 10 16:40:00 UTC 2024: ## Sanju Samson: Back with a Bang and a Calm Head

**Cape Town, South Africa:** Sanju Samson, fresh off his second consecutive T20I century, displayed a calmness belying the roller coaster ride his international career has been. After years of inconsistency and doubt, Samson is finally proving his worth, smashing 107 off just 50 balls in the first T20I against South Africa.

While his recent success is undeniable, Samson’s journey to this point has been far from smooth. After making his debut in 2015, he spent four and a half years on the sidelines, despite consistent impressive performances in the IPL. Despite scoring three centuries in the IPL, he only played three of India’s 16 T20Is in 2021.

“I have faced a lot of failures in my career,” Samson admitted, “You doubt yourself. People say social media plays its role in that. But you also think a lot about yourself: ‘Sanju, are you not made for international level? You are doing well in the IPL. Why are you not doing well internationally?'”

However, Samson has used these failures to his advantage. He attributes his resurgence to the support of senior players like Rohit Sharma, Gautam Gambhir, and VVS Laxman, who have helped him navigate his struggles. He also credits his current captain, Suryakumar Yadav, for providing the confidence and guidance he needed.

“They know that if you are going through a negative phase, you as a player can get lost,” Samson shared. “I received a lot of phone calls from Gautam bhai and Surya telling me what to work on – ‘Your batting against spin is not working. You should gather all the spinners in Kerala. You should practice on rough pitches. You should do this and that.’”

Samson’s calm demeanor and focus on the present are clear in his performance, and his gratitude for the trust placed in him is evident. He is now returning the favor, delivering for his team and silencing the doubters.

The story of Sanju Samson is one of resilience and determination, reminding everyone that success often comes after facing adversity. His recent performance shows that he is finally ready to cement his place in the Indian T20I team.

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