One of the most talked-about cricketers, Sanju Samson shut his critics with a resilient century against South Africa in the 3rd ODI on Paarl on Thursday. The Kerala batter anchored the Indians with a stupendous knock, scoring 108 off 114 balls. He stitched a 116-run partnership with Tilak Varma, who also notched up a half-century, setting the base for India’s series-clinching win in the Rainbow Nation.
Addressing the post-match presser after India’s 78-run, Sanju revealed that the past three-four months have been mentally challenging for him but he kept at it by working on himself and bounced back by scoring his maiden ODI ton away from home.
“The last three, four months were challenging for me mentally. So going through all that and coming here I think doing what I did today, I think I feel really happy and grateful,” Sanju told reporters after the conclusion of the third ODI.
Samson was overlooked for the ODI World Cup in India with selectors preferring to go with the likes of Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav. He was also not picked for the Asian Games, indicating that he is really low in the selectors’ pecking order. But on Thursday, he took things into his own hands and scored his maiden ODI century to help India post a 296-run total against the Proteas.
Speaking of bouncing back from setbacks, Sanju said he has inherited this habit from his father who was also a sportsman.
“I’ve been blessed in my genes. My father is also a sportsman, so how much ever setbacks you have, I think there’s always no other way to come back and bounce back… think how much you can work on yourself and how you can come back more strongly,” Sanju added.
Asked how he kept his calm during the knock, Samson said, “I don’t know actually. It comes very naturally to me.
“It’s very important to make really good decisions. When you are calm and when you are aware of your thoughts, emotions of your physical being and mental being that helps me to make some really good decisions,” he said.
‘Winning a series is always special’
Samson was delighted to contribute to the team’s victory, saying that the success will give the team management and the players a massive boost.
“Coming here and winning that series after one all it definitely gives a great boost to the players and the management and all the coaches who have trusted the players to come and deliver.
“So I think, yeah, it’s a special, it’s always really good to win the series and go back home with the trophy,” he concluded.
(With Agency Inputs)
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