Sanju Samson pledges self‑directed approach after T20 World Cup success

Indian wicket‑keeper‑batter Sanju Samson was a key figure in India’s retention of the Men’s T20 World Cup in 2026, scoring three consecutive fifties in the knockout stage. Following the tournament, Samson announced he will play cricket on his own terms, deliberately distancing himself from the domestic “rat race” and external expectations.

He later experienced a dip in form during the subsequent T20I series against Ireland and England, which led to his omission from India’s squad for the recent tour of Zimbabwe. Samson said he will continue to enjoy the game, support his teammates, and let performance dictate future selection.

The comments were made on JioStar’s show “Believe,” where he also recalled a gym conversation with former captain Virat Kohli about lifestyle and discipline influencing his career.