A Life-Altering Move: Sanju Samson’s Father’s Bold Decision

India wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson has revealed how missing out on the Delhi state team prompted his father to make a life-changing decision that ultimately shaped his cricket career.

Speaking on JioStar’s Superstars, Samson reflected on his childhood in Delhi, his first experiences with cricket, and the pivotal moment his family relocated to Kerala after failing to secure a spot in Delhi’s state setup.

Cricket’s Alluring Call

Samson stated his passion for the sport emerged during his upbringing in Delhi Police quarters, where his father, a member of the Delhi Police football team, introduced him to sports.

Despite his father’s football background, cricket captivated the youngster’s interest.

“Delhi has played a pivotal role in my life. My father was part of the Delhi Police football team, often training in the mornings and evenings. From that time, I developed a deep love for sports.”

He remembered playing informal cricket matches with friends in the police colony and credited his father for identifying his batting potential.

“We would play in the middle of the road in the police colony with a tennis ball. My father noticed my enjoyment of cricket and decided not to push me toward football. Instead, he encouraged us to play cricket.”

A Cherished Childhood Moment

Samson fondly recalled one of his earliest cricketing memories—practicing at the iconic Feroz Shah Kotla, now known as the Arun Jaitley Stadium.

“One day, my father arranged for us to practice there. We arrived in full whites… My father had some duties there and requested permission for an hour of practice,”

He noted that such opportunities are rare today.

“I’m not sure how my father managed it, but nowadays, such access is unlikely,”

The Breaking Point

The critical moment arrived when Samson repeatedly failed to make Delhi’s age-group state team despite strong performances in trials and camps.

“During school, I’d see friends wearing the DDCA jersey and discussing state team opportunities, which motivated me. I attended trials and camps, scoring consistently,”

However, his name never made the final squad.

“The competition was fierce. After my trials ended, the team list was announced—my name wasn’t there. We left in silence,”

An Instant Decision

Samson disclosed that his father acted swiftly after the setback.

“As soon as we got home, my father told my mother, ‘We must move to Kerala.'”

Despite worries about disrupting the children’s education, his father was resolute.

“My mother said, ‘The kids are in 6th standard. Let them complete 10th.’ My father replied, ‘No, we must go now. Pack your belongings. I’ll book tickets in three days.'”

The family soon traveled to Kerala, where Samson’s cricketing journey began.

“We arrived in Kerala, and I started playing for the Kerala State Team. That’s how my professional cricket career took off,”

The relocation proved transformative, setting the stage for Samson’s rise through Kerala cricket before earning an international berth.

Source: JioStar (Superstars)

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