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Samson Discusses Team Selection and Performance After India's Series Victory
Sanju Samson addressed his recent team selection and the competition among players following India's seven-wicket victory over Afghanistan, which secured an unassailable 2-0 series lead. Samson, who scored 57 runs off 22 deliveries in the second T20I, emphasized the importance of prioritizing team objectives over individual aspirations.
Samson and Abhishek Sharma opened for India in the first two T20Is against Afghanistan. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, despite being named Player of the Series in Zimbabwe, remained on the bench. Samson scored 10 runs off eight balls in the first match but followed it with his 57-run performance in the second game.
During the post-match press conference, Samson stated, "I think they (Sooryavanshi and Abhishek Sharma) are competitors for the outside world, but we are a team, and we are playing for a country. We want to win the game first, and then it comes down to the other individuals. We can’t sulk or be in a negative frame of mind, thinking, ‘Yaar, mujhe nahi mila, usko kyun diya.’ Those kinds of mindsets don’t work here."
He also explained the rationale behind Sooryavanshi's inclusion in the squad, noting that selection decisions are often based on current form and the need to secure victories. Samson mentioned, "As I said before, playing for the Indian team and scoring runs is not an easy thing. You are seeing a 15-year-old boy who has come after scoring 700-800 runs. I was Player of the Tournament before that. After that, they had such a good performance, and he had to come in in some other manner." He added, "I didn’t perform in two to three games, and he was in form. We wanted to win games in that series, and it was very understandable from a leadership point of view."
Samson's position in the T20I team had previously been under scrutiny. After being named Player of the Tournament at the T20 World Cup, he struggled against Ireland in the first two games and played the first T20I in England before being dropped. Sooryavanshi was then given three opportunities before Samson returned for England's fifth and final T20I. Samson was subsequently left out of India's Zimbabwe series, where Sooryavanshi scored 151 runs in three matches and earned the Player of the Series award.
Regarding external opinions, Samson commented on how he manages public discussion about team selection. "I try to switch the Wi-Fi off. But sometimes the Wi-Fi gets switched on, and comments become visible. Some senior player says something. So I think it’s very normal." He acknowledged that "outside noise does affect cricketers in India," but stressed the importance of a clear mindset. Samson admitted that criticism can still affect players, but his experience has helped him manage the pressure. "I think I have been mature enough and experienced enough to know how to handle it. Earlier, it used to hurt a little. I’m not a machine. We are not robots, that we can say, ‘No, it doesn’t affect me.’ Definitely, it affects you."
In the recent match, Samson's 57 runs marked his first T20I half-century since the T20 World Cup final. He hit four sixes and seven fours. Abhishek Sharma contributed 39 runs off 19 balls. The opening pair established an 88-run partnership from 38 deliveries, helping India chase down the target of 160. India completed the chase with 163/3 in 14.5 overs. Earlier, Nitish Reddy's 3/24 restricted Afghanistan to 159/8. India's victory by seven wickets was their second consecutive win at the same venue, establishing a 2-0 lead with one match remaining in the series.