Sanju Samson Opens Up About Emotional Support from Coach Gautam Gambhir After T20I Century

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Wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson has heaped praise on Team India's head coach Gautam Gambhir for his continuous support and encouragement. In a candid conversation, Samson expressed his gratitude towards Gambhir.

He credited Gambhir for backing him despite early failures in the Bangladesh T20I series. The 29-year-old finally delivered on October 12, 2024, scoring his maiden T20I century in Hyderabad, which he dedicated to the faith shown in him by the coach.

In an interview, Samson recalled how he felt anxious after not performing in the first two matches of the series, admitting that he even struggled to make eye contact with Gambhir. "I didn't score big in the first couple of matches, and I was a bit hesitant to make eye contact with him. But I told myself that my time would come," Samson shared.

His determination paid off when he smashed 111 runs off just 47 balls in the final match, helping India secure a comfortable win. The bond between Samson and Gambhir goes back years, starting at Delhi's LB Shastri Cricket Academy, where a young Samson looked up to Gambhir.

Reflecting on his coach's reaction after his century, Samson said, "When I got that hundred in Hyderabad and Gauti Bhai was clapping for me, I was very happy." The relationship between a player and coach, Samson believes, is essential for success, and Gambhir's belief in him gave him the drive to perform.

"When the coach trusts and backs you, you want to repay that faith by performing well," he added. Despite his talent, Samson's career has been marked by inconsistency. He debuted for India in 2015 but has only played 33 T20Is over the years. The wicketkeeper-batter faced considerable criticism after his failures in the first two games of the Bangladesh series.

However, his stunning century silenced his critics and affirmed his place in the squad. Samson's impressive knock included 8 sixes and 11 fours, a display of power-hitting that reminded fans of his potential. Samson will look ahead to India's upcoming T20 series against South Africa in November.