Sanju Samson said he approached the T20 World Cup with a new game plan that helped him regain form and play a key role in India’s title triumph. The star batsman spoke to reporters on Monday after returning to Thiruvananthapuram following the World Cup victory.
Samson, named Man of the Tournament, received a great welcome at the airport. Kerala Education Minister V Sivankutty greeted him upon his arrival in the afternoon as hundreds of cricket fans gathered outside the airport, raising slogans in support of the Kerala cricketer.
Reflecting on his change in his batting approach, Samson previously said that he had tried to attack every ball, which often led to his dismissals.
“I tried to hit every ball, but it didn’t work. Then I had to learn from those failures. In the five-match series, I tried to increase my shooting percentage, but it didn’t work. Then I prepared with a different game plan for the World Cup,” he said.
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Samson also spoke about seeking Sachin Tendulkar’s advice during a difficult phase of his career and described the experience as unforgettable.
“We were in touch because I had been messaging him for the last few years. We also spoke when we met during the IPL,” he said.
According to Samson, Tendulkar was the first person he thought of approaching when he had problems with his form.
“When I contacted him, he really connected with me. He talked to me for about 25 minutes, describing what had happened in his career, what to think about during difficult times, how to practice and how to handle situations. He really helped me,” Samson said.
He added that after losing form during the New Zealand series, he approached Tendulkar again and received more guidance.
“Even a day before the World Cup final, he contacted me and asked me if everything was ready. It is not something that everyone understands and I am very happy about it,” he said, adding that Tendulkar congratulated him after the final victory.
Samson also spoke about the impact of social media on players, saying that it can influence them both positively and negatively.
“Young people should learn to handle it well. Thanks to social media, I understood how much people love me. But when things are going differently, one should open social media only if one can bear it,” he said.
To stay focused during the tournament, Samson said he had kept his phone off for the past month.
He added that his social media accounts are managed by a team.
“When I cut it, the outside noise could be controlled. When the World Cup is held in the country, there is a lot of outside noise. I cut it and concentrated on cricket,” he said.
Samson said the last time he left Thiruvananthapuram was after a bad patch before the World Cup.
“But that turn was unexpected. Now we are happy,” he said.
Samson expressed his gratitude to his fans and said their unwavering support meant a lot to him.
“Not even now, when I was not selected in the team, when I was in the team, or when I did not perform, people were with me during my setbacks. I felt the responsibility to reciprocate them for their support. I dedicate this performance to the people of the state,” he said.
Samson said he was overwhelmed by the love he had received from fans.
“In cricket, sometimes we can perform well, and sometimes we lose. My wife used to show me videos and videos of genuine support and prayers from people. My eyes would fill with tears seeing that, and I would wonder if I deserved so much love,” he said.
He said he planned to spend a couple of days with his parents if time permitted after his media commitments.
“I was told there might be an event in New Delhi as part of the World Cup victory celebrations the next day. That will be confirmed soon. So I might have to go for it,” he said.