Sanju Samson understands his aggressive approach in T20 cricket wouldn't always pay off, but he is determined to make most of his opportunities, especially those at the top of the order during the powerplay overs.
Samson, whose outstanding run at the domestic level for Kerala led to his India comeback late last year, failed to last long in the T20I series against New Zealand earlier this year where he got to play only after an injury to regular opener Rohit Sharma.
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Not making those rare chances count, given the competition for slots and the fact that this a T20 World Cup year, doesn't augur well for the talented right-hander. But he is backing himself to come good soon.
"Yes, it is true that I could not perform with the bat the way I would have loved to. But I believe the change of style that I have adopted in my batting recently will sometimes lead to failures," the 25-year-old told TOI.
"I have started to accept that fact and I wait and prepare for my next big successful innings. In fact, I was sent in to bat in the super over again in a tight match (fourth T20I in Wellington), that too with Virat Kohli."
"So you can make out the trust the Indian team had on me. That moment was a huge achievement in my career."
From being the first name on the Kerala team sheet to someone not always near the first-choice playing XI for India, that's not the easiest of frustrations to handle for a young cricketer.
Samson, however, said: "I look at the brighter side of things. I got to share the dressing room with legends like Virat bhai and Rohit bhai and there is a lot to learn from them even if we just observe the way they handle themselves on and off the ground. And then to be a part of the world's best cricket team is not a small thing."
"The biggest thing I learned is to believe in yourself no matter what the circumstances are," he added. "No matter how big your dreams are, if you believe in yourself, your abilities and your work ethics, you will achieve them one day. If a boy from Vizhinjam can open the innings for the Indian cricket team, it happened only because he believed he could do it."
Samson would've been hoping to better his chances of T20 World Cup selection via strong performances in the 13th edition of the IPL for Rajasthan Royals. But the tournament remains under suspension because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Everyone is asking the same question (about the IPL) but the priority is the health and safety of the citizens in our country and the world. To be honest, I am not thinking much about the IPL at the moment," he said.
"First, this situation has to calm down a bit and everything has to come under control. Then the responsible people will take a call on the IPL."
"It’s so sad to see the suffering of people due to the virus throughout the world, in our country and in our own state," Samson added. "But at the same time, it’s so inspiring to see the governments, the police, the healthcare staff and everyone selflessly involved in this situation and doing their best to bring us all back to normal."
(Inputs from TOI)
