In an emotional and intense interview, Sanju Samson’s father, Vishwanath, has made a serious accusation against former Indian cricket captains and coach Rahul Dravid. He claims that these figures wasted 10 years of his son’s life, delaying his rise to the top in Indian cricket.
Sanju Samson has long been seen as one of India’s brightest talents. Known for his impressive performances in domestic T20s and the IPL, Samson made his debut for India in 2015 at the age of 21. However, despite his early promise, he struggled to secure a regular spot in the national team. Now, at 30 years old, after showing excellent form in recent years, it seems he is finally finding his place in India’s T20I XI.
But according to Samson’s father, his son’s journey has not been easy. In a viral video interview with Malayali news station MediaOne, Vishwanath lashed out at the Indian cricket leadership, blaming them for his son’s lack of opportunities over the years.
The Blame on Former Captains and Coach
Vishwanath was particularly critical of former Indian captains MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma, along with coach Rahul Dravid. He said, “There are 3-4 people who wasted 10 years of my son’s vital career…captains like Dhoni ji, Virat ji, Rohit ji, and coach Dravid ji.”
The frustration in Vishwanath’s voice was clear as he explained how his son struggled to break into the team, despite his obvious talent. He went on to add, “These four people wasted 10 years of my son’s life, but the more they hurt him, the stronger Sanju became.”
Samson made his debut in 2015, but his appearances in the Indian team were few and far between. He often had to watch from the sidelines as established stars like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli took up the opening spots, leaving little room for him to establish himself.
Sanju Samson’s Growth and Breakthrough
Despite the challenges, Sanju Samson has shown incredible resilience. Over the years, he has proved his worth in the Indian Premier League (IPL), scoring consistently and growing as a player. His performances with Rajasthan Royals have been particularly impressive, where he has scored over 450 runs in three of the last four seasons.
In recent times, Samson’s performances in T20 internationals have also been noteworthy. He scored back-to-back centuries against Bangladesh and South Africa, putting himself in the frame to become India’s regular T20 opener. These performances have silenced many critics and shown that he is ready to take on a bigger role in Indian cricket.
Support from Suryakumar Yadav and Gautam Gambhir
Vishwanath also praised the current leadership for giving his son a chance. He credited new T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav and coach Gautam Gambhir for supporting Samson and providing him with more opportunities. Though Samson did play in 14 T20I matches in 2022 and 2023, it was under the new leadership that he seems to have found a more stable place in the team.
Samson’s father also mentioned how his son’s journey to the top was marked by periods of inconsistency, particularly in the IPL, where he sometimes struggled to maintain his form throughout the season. However, since becoming captain of the Rajasthan Royals, Samson has matured into a more reliable and consistent performer, showcasing his immense talent.
Looking to the Future
Now, at the age of 30, Sanju Samson seems to be in the perfect position to take over as India’s regular T20 opener. With the retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma following India’s T20 World Cup win earlier this year, there is an opening for Samson to establish himself as the long-term option for India’s opening spot in T20 cricket.
With his growing confidence, Samson looks set to play a key role in India’s future T20 campaigns. His recent match-winning performances and continued development suggest that he will be a cornerstone of India’s T20 batting lineup for years to come.
Conclusion
While Sanju Samson’s career has had its fair share of ups and downs, it seems the wicketkeeper-batsman is finally finding his feet in international cricket. His father’s comments have shed light on the frustrations Samson faced during his early years in the Indian team. Despite the setbacks, Samson’s resilience has helped him bounce back stronger, and he now looks set to be a key figure in India’s T20 team moving forward.
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