THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Fresh from sparkling centuries in the T20I series against Bangladesh and the preceding Duleep Trophy, star wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson is eyeing a spot in the Test team. Addressing the media in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday, Sanju expressed excitement over the possibility.
He said the national team management has advised him to perform well in the Ranji Trophy to strengthen his Test chances as the selectors have been keeping a close watch.
“There is a possibility of being considered for the Test team. That’s why I have been advised to perform well in Ranji,” Sanju said on a day the Kerala Cricket Association named him in the state team for the second Ranji Trophy match against Karnataka.
On his performance against Bangladesh spinner Rishad Hossain, Sanju said that he had decided to hit out wherever he bowled. “The balls came right into my zone. After the first six, I just kept going. It’s always been my dream to hit five or six sixes in an over, and I finally did it,” Sanju said.
He said the team management encourages taking risks. “In the past, I used to wonder if I should continue attacking after hitting a couple of sixes. Now, the management encourages taking risks. If the next ball is a six-worthy delivery, we are told to go for it, not hold back,” he said.
He further said that he faced pressure following below-par performances in the Sri Lanka series and the first two matches against Bangladesh.
“I wasn’t able to score well in the first two games, so the pressure was on in the third match. But I knew I was in form, and once I got past the initial three overs, I started playing freely,” Sanju said.
The swashbuckling batter credited Suryakumar Yadav for his captaincy, saying that he is straightforward.
“Surya is very clear with the players. He creates clarity for all the players, and that makes the dressing room atmosphere very friendly. As a captain, he’s doing an excellent job, and the players have a lot of trust in him,” Sanju said.
He also expressed gratitude to coach Gautam Gambhir and said that he advises him to go ahead without fear. “After I got out for zero in two matches against Sri Lanka, I wasn’t sure if I would be called up again. But both Surya and Gautam Bhai contacted me three weeks before the Bangladesh tour and assured me that I would be playing all three matches as an opener,” Sanju pointed out.
He also spoke about his post-century celebration, where he flexed his muscles. He said it wasn’t planned and that his teammates asked him to do it.