After a successful stint as a white-ball cricketer, Indian team management is preparing Sanju Samson for red-ball cricket.
After hitting a match-winning century in the final T20I of the recently-concluded three-match series against Bangladesh, Sanju Samson has expressed a strong desire to expand his horizons and represent India in Test cricket.
In an interaction with the media in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday, Samson shared his ambitions of becoming an all-format player for the national team.
“I believe I have the skillset to succeed in red-ball cricket, and I don’t want to restrict myself to just white-ball formats,” Samson said.
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His immediate goal is to earn a spot in India’s Test squad, following consistent performances in domestic red-ball tournaments like the Ranji Trophy.
Samson revealed that before the Duleep Trophy, India’s leadership group had encouraged him to focus more on red-ball cricket.
“They told me they were considering me for Test cricket and advised me to take it seriously by playing more Ranji Trophy matches,” Samson explained, reflecting on how this directive motivated him to shift focus.
The Kerala-born cricketer, who recently trained with Rahul Dravid and Zubin Bharucha at the Rajasthan Royals Academy, spoke about the preparation that led to his century in the Duleep Trophy.
“After the series against Sri Lanka, I worked on my game with Dravid Sir and Bharucha. The century in the Duleep Trophy gave me a lot of confidence as it came against some of the best bowlers in the country,” he shared.
Samson also thanked the Indian team management for backing him despite his struggles during the series against Sri Lanka. He acknowledged the support from captain Suryakumar Yadav and coach Gautam Gambhir, which he credits for his success in the series against Bangladesh.
“Surya is a good communicator, and there’s clarity in what he expects from players. Gautham bhai has always believed in me, and that makes playing cricket more enjoyable,” Samson said, appreciating their leadership.
Reflecting on his memorable innings against Bangladesh, where he hit five sixes in an over, Samson attributed it to his fearless approach.
“It was a dream come true. I believe in playing fearless cricket, and that day everything just clicked. I haven’t stopped watching the replays of that century,” he added, with a sense of pride.
As Samson continues to impress in limited-overs formats, his eyes remain firmly set on a Test cap, hoping to add yet another dimension to his growing legacy in Indian cricket.
