"I used to find fielding very boring" - Sanju Samson Interview

Sanju Samson’s performance was one of the few shining rays of light in Rajasthan Royals’ controversial IPL 5 season

Amidst all the negative news surrounding Rajasthan Royals in IPL 6, while one player from Kerala was surrounded by all the unwanted news, another lad from the southern Indian state was garnering positive reviews and appreciation.

Sanju Viswanath Samson, born on November 11, 1994, caught everyone’s attention with eye-catching performances for the Royals in IPL 6, which was also his first season in the T20 league. For his sure-footed performances in crunch situations, the 18-year-old was awarded the ‘Best Young Player of the Season’ award in an official poll.

Sanju was named the vice-captain of the U-19 Indian side led by Vijay Zol, which is currently in Australia for a tri-series involving the hosts and their Trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand.

The wicketkeeper-batsman was in conversation with Sportskeeda recently. Here’s an excerpt:

After a great IPL, now the vice-captain of the U-19 side. You seem to be riding on a high. How has the IPL helped you?

It’s a great tournament, especially for youngsters like me. It’s a great opportunity to rub shoulders with the cricketing greats and get a feel of playing in front of a large crowd. Also, it helps us gain some valuable experience and help us become a better cricketer.

Kerala seems to be churning out quite a few young cricketers. How has the scene changed in Kerala cricket?

Kerala always had a pool of talented cricketers. It’s just now that everyone is more focused on playing their natural game and not worry about the runs. Of course, getting runs is important, but it’s not the sole focus [while playing the game].

You made your Ranji Trophy debut in 2011, but this was the season you have been exceptional with the bat as well as behind the stumps. Have you changed anything in your style of play?

I have changed nothing with regards to my playing style. Last year was a very tough Ranji season for me. I scored 2 runs from 3 matches. I was very low [on confidence] but my parents helped me overcome that phase. I remained positive and thankfully was able to leave it behind me.

How was the experience of batting with Shane Watson and Rahul Dravid in Rajasthan Royals?

It was like a dream come true for me. I was very excited and at the same time pretty nervous about playing alongside such greats. However, they both are excellent players and made things very easy for me. It felt great to be with them.

You’re still a teenager, but the thing that has stood out about you is that you handle the pressure well. Does that come naturally to you?

I have learnt a lot [about handling such situations] from my seniors in Kerala. I always knew that it is a tough job to play with and against international cricketers, therefore I prepared myself for it.

You’re already touted as the next big wicket-keeper batsman from India after MS Dhoni. How do you react to that?

This is the first time I am hearing of it and will take that as a big compliment. However, as of now my focus is to do well in the U-19 tournaments which are coming up.

Wicket-keeping is a thankless job and involves a lot of hard work. What made you choose it as a career?

I was 11-years-old when my parents shifted to Kerala from Delhi. I used to bowl off-spin for a while and I found fielding very boring. Wicketkeeping was more interesting and kept me busy therefore I took it.

“Wicketkeeping was more interesting and kept me busy therefore I took it” – Sanju Samson

Adam Gilchrist changed the definition of a wicket-keeper batsman in cricket. Were you influenced by his philosophy too?

Obviously yes. I have watched him while growing up. He is one of the world’s best wicket-keeping batsman. I also used to watch Sangakkara. When I got a chance to play against Adam Gilchrist in IPL, I was really excited.

You were with Kolkata Knight Riders before moving to Rajasthan Royals and making your mark. How has your overall IPL experience been?

It was good being with KKR. I was 16 when I joined the team, and it was a big deal for me to play alongside such greats of the game like Bret Lee. I only got to be with them in the dressing room for 2 matches and spent the entire 2 months in the Kolkata team hotel.

Who is your idol and on whom do you model your game on?

I liked AB de Villiers a lot before. However after playing with Rahul Dravid, I can’t think of anyone else as an idol.

You are already a star and that too at a very young age. How do you keep yourself grounded and not get distracted by all the buzz around?

I don’t consider myself as a star at all. My parents have always told me the importance of being grounded. I like to mingle with people and make friends rather than being reserved.

How has Rahul Dravid’s influence helped you as a cricketer?

Rahul Dravid is a superb cricketer and a marvellous human being. Every time I talk to him, I learn something about the game as well as about being a good man. The first time I saw him, I was sitting on a chair and he walked passed me and I immediately stood up and smiled at him. Respects come naturally for him.

Your 12th standard results came out a few days back. Does that made you more nervous than facing the world class bowlers in the IPL?

No, [I'm not nervous] as I am a good student. In fact, I achieved less marks in 12th because of my cricketing schedule. I scored more in 10th and 11th standards.

“I have always enjoyed and loved to bat” – Sanju Samson

Australia is a tough place to tour. How will you prepare yourself both as a keeper and a batsman?

Yes, this is going to be my first time in Australia. Conditions are very different over there, but we are working on it. I am talking a lot to my coaches and senior players to help me out with. We are practicing well at the NCA, Bangalore and hopefully it should help.

Though you’re a keeper-batsman, you didn’t keep in all the matches which RR played. Are you concentrating more on batting than keeping?

I have always enjoyed and loved to bat, so yes, I am concentrating more on it.

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Edited by Staff Editor