'Sanju Will Decide for Sanju': Wicketkeeper Makes Bold Career Statement

India wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson has said he is no longer interested in the "constant rat race" surrounding Indian cricket, revealing he made a conscious decision before the 2026 T20 World Cup to focus solely on enjoying the game and trusting his own instincts.

The 31-year-old, who played a key role in India's successful T20 World Cup title defence earlier this year, also reflected on Virat Kohli's influence, handling pressure during the World Cup knockout stages and his recent omission from the Zimbabwe tour.

Sanju Samson: 'I will play on my own terms'

Speaking on JioStar's show Believe, Samson revealed that he has stopped worrying about outside opinions and is determined to chart his own path for the remainder of his career.

"I realised that there is a constant rat race in our country, and I decided before the 2026 T20 World Cup that I would not be part of it. I just want to enjoy the game."

"By God's grace, I have achieved a lot. I am 31 now, and I have a few years left. So, I have decided to play on my own terms. No one will tell me how to bat or what to do. Sanju will decide for Sanju."

The wicketkeeper added that he is no longer thinking too far ahead despite helping India retain the T20 World Cup.

"With all due respect, I will play, enjoy the game, be a good teammate, and support the group, but I will do it my way."

"After the 2024 World Cup, I didn't even expect to play in the 2026 World Cup. I wasn't in the 14 or 15-man squad at one point. So how can I plan for 2028? If I'm there, if the team needs me, and if I'm playing well, things will fall into place."

Sanju Samson reveals Virat Kohli's advice

Samson also recalled a conversation with former India captain Virat Kohli during a national team camp that changed the way he viewed fitness and professionalism.

"We both were working out together in the gym during an Indian team camp and I asked him, 'Paaji, what should I do? Tell me something too!'"

According to Samson, Kohli stressed the importance of maintaining a disciplined lifestyle to enjoy a long international career.

"He told me that lifestyle plays a huge role. If you want to become an international cricketer, you must maintain a different kind of lifestyle."

"He shared what works for him on his journey and told me, 'This food will help your body recover, this won't. If you maintain this discipline for the next 10 years, you will have a great career ahead.'"

Samson admitted he tried to follow the routine before eventually finding it difficult to maintain.

"I started following it for a year, a year and a half, but after that, I couldn't stay on track with that anymore."

Confidence before England semi-final

Samson said he ignored discussions surrounding his previous record against England fast bowler Jofra Archer before the T20 World Cup semi-final.

"A lot of people were coming and telling me, 'It's England, Archer is bowling, he got you out 3-4 times previously.'"

"But I was confident. I didn't say anything out loud because if you talk too much, you come across as arrogant."

He explained that his performances earlier in the tournament had given him complete faith in his own game.

"I knew that this Sanju Samson was not the Sanju Samson from a year ago. After that West Indies knock, I had a lot of self-validation and I was very sure about myself."

"There was no room for doubt. I was going to do it for my country and no one could stop it."

Embracing responsibility in the World Cup final

Samson also reflected on his approach during India's World Cup final against New Zealand, saying he embraced the responsibility of anchoring the innings.

"I could feel the responsibility of being the main run-scorer in the World Cup final against New Zealand."

"I kept reminding myself, 'Sanju, you are responsible. You need to keep going. You must stay there till the end and finish the job for your country.'"

He pointed to a patient over against New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner as an example of how his mindset had evolved.

"I played an over against Santner where I faced four dot balls in a World Cup final. But I was completely sure that even if I played four dot balls there, I could hit two sixes later."

"In the past, after four dot balls, I would have panicked. But the previous games taught me that taking time and playing dot balls is okay."

Left out after England series

Samson's comments come after he was omitted from India's recent T20I series against Zimbabwe following a dip in form during the tours of Ireland and England.

Despite that setback, the wicketkeeper said he remains grateful for what he has achieved in international cricket.

"No one can take this achievement away from me," Samson said, referring to India's T20 World Cup triumph.

He also credited the collective effort behind India's title-winning campaign, reserving special praise for pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah.

"'Mr. Bumrah' is a pure cheat code. Without that cheat code, we wouldn't have gotten past England, and in the final, the start he provided was crucial. Everyone played their part, and I'm very happy I contributed the way I did."