Thu Nov 14 10:51:52 UTC 2024: ## Sanju Samson’s Father Blasts Former Captains and Coach for “Wasting” Son’s Career
**New Delhi, India** – Sanju Samson, the Indian T20I batsman who recently became the first Indian to score back-to-back centuries in the format, may have finally cemented his place in the national team, but his father, Samson Vishwanath, is still fuming over the delay in his son’s breakthrough. In a heated interview, Vishwanath accused former captains MS Dhoni, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and coach Rahul Dravid of “wasting” 10 years of Samson’s career.
Vishwanath, in an explosive interview with Malayali news station MediaOne, claimed that these individuals prevented Samson from becoming a regular in the team despite his evident talent. Samson debuted in 2015 at the age of 21, but inconsistent performances and the dominance of senior players like Rohit and Kohli kept him out of the team.
He returned to the T20I side in 2021 after showing significant improvement in the IPL, particularly after becoming the captain of the Rajasthan Royals. Vishwanath credited new captain Suryakumar Yadav and coach Gautam Gambhir for finally giving Samson a chance, though he did play 14 T20Is in 2022 and 2023.
Samson, now 30, has silenced his critics with his recent performances, including his back-to-back centuries against Bangladesh and South Africa. He is now considered a key player for India’s T20 future, particularly with the retirement of Kohli and Sharma.
Vishwanath’s outspoken remarks have stirred controversy, but his frustration highlights the challenges young players face in breaking into the Indian team. While some argue that Samson’s inconsistency played a role in his delayed breakthrough, others believe that he was unfairly sidelined for years.
With Samson now establishing himself as a vital player, the question remains whether his father’s accusations will be addressed or simply dismissed as the emotional outburst of a proud parent.
First Piper 