'Pack Your Bags, We're Moving': The Decision That Changed Sanju Samson's Life Forever

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 moment his family packed up and moved to Kerala after he failed to break into Delhi's state setup.

Sanju Samson: 'Cricket attracted me from childhood'

Samson said his love for the sport began while growing up in the Delhi Police quarters, where his father, a member of the Delhi Police football team, introduced him to sports.

Despite his father's football background, it was cricket that caught the youngster's attention.

"Delhi has played a very big role in my life, to be very honest. My life started in Delhi. My father was in the Delhi Police football team. He used to go for practice in the morning and evening. From that time, I developed a love for sports."

He recalled playing gully cricket with friends in the police colony and credited his father for recognising his batting talent.

"We would play in the middle of the road in the police colony with a tennis ball. My father also saw that I was enjoying cricket. He never tried to push me into football... He told me, 'I saw you batting and I felt that you have talent.' So, he made me and my brother play cricket instead of football."

Sanju Samson shares special memory at Feroz Shah Kotla

Samson also looked back on one of his favourite childhood memories-getting the opportunity to practise at the iconic Feroz Shah Kotla, now known as the Arun Jaitley Stadium.

"One day, my father said that he would take me to Feroz Shah Kotla for practice. We got ready in our full whites... My father had some duty there and he requested someone to let us practice for an hour."

He admitted that such an opportunity would be difficult to get today.

"I don't know, it must have been a big blessing. I don't know how my father managed it, but nowadays they don't allow such things."

'My name was not there'

The turning point came when Samson repeatedly failed to make Delhi's age-group state team despite performing well in trials and camps.

"Back in school, I used to see friends wear the DDCA jacket and talk about playing for the state cricket team of Delhi. That motivated me. I wanted to represent Delhi too. I went for trials, attended state camps, and scored runs."

However, his name never appeared in the final squad.

"The competition was tough. Then one day, the team list was announced after my trials had ended. My name was not there. We returned home in silence."

Father's instant decision changed everything

Samson revealed that his father wasted no time in deciding the family's future after the disappointment.

"As soon as we reached home, my father told my mother, 'We will have to move to Kerala. We are shifting.'"

Despite concerns about disrupting the children's education, his father stood firm.

"My mother said, 'The kids are only in 6th standard. Let them complete 10th.' My father said, 'No, we have to go now. Pack your things. I am booking tickets in three days.'"

The family soon boarded a train to Kerala, where Samson's cricketing journey took off.

"We reached Kerala and I started playing for Kerala. That is how my cricket journey for the Kerala State Team began."

The move proved to be a defining moment in Samson's career, paving the way for his rise through Kerala cricket before eventually representing India on the international stage.

**Source:** JioStar (*Superstars*)