Durban, Nov 9 (IANS): Sanju Samson silenced his critics with an electrifying 107 off 47 balls in the T20I series opener against South Africa, setting a record as the first Indian and fourth global player to hit consecutive centuries in men's T20Is. This performance, featuring seven fours and ten sixes, led India to a resounding 61-run victory.
Reflecting on his journey, Samson shared how early career struggles and inconsistent scores since his T20I debut in 2015 fueled self-doubt about his ability to perform at the international level. Despite IPL success, he grappled with public and internal doubts until recent promotion to an opener unlocked his potential.
"Failures often made me question if I was cut out for the international level, " Samson admitted, noting how social media criticism amplified his doubts. However, support from captain Suryakumar Yadav and coach Gautam Gambhir helped him regain confidence, especially after two consecutive ducks in Sri Lanka. Gambhir and Yadav encouraged him to refine his skills against spin, practicing on rough wickets in Kerala.
With renewed confidence, Samson now embraces India’s ultra-aggressive approach, aiming to consistently exceed 200, even on challenging pitches like Durban’s. “Despite sticky practice wickets and rain interruptions, we committed to an all-in approach, ” he explained.
Samson’s journey serves as a testament to resilience and gratitude for unwavering support, and he remains focused on contributing to India's success in future matches.