India wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson has said he is no longer interested in being part of the “constant rat race” that surrounds Indian cricket, choosing instead to trust his instincts and enjoy the remainder of his career on his own terms.
Speaking on JioStar’s Believe, the 31-year-old revealed he made the decision before the 2026 T20 World Cup, where he emerged as one of India’s standout performers with three successive half-centuries to help the team defend the title. Despite that success, Samson was left out of the subsequent tour of Zimbabwe following a brief dip in form.
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Samson said he has stopped worrying about external opinions or long-term selection debates, adding that he is grateful for everything he has already achieved. He stressed that he would continue playing his natural game while contributing to the team in his own way.
The Kerala batter also recalled advice from former India captain Virat Kohli, who encouraged him to adopt a disciplined lifestyle and explained how fitness, recovery and diet could prolong an international career. Samson admitted he followed Kohli’s routine for over a year before finding it difficult to maintain.
Reflecting on India’s World Cup campaign, Samson said he ignored criticism over his past record against England pacer Jofra Archer before the semi-final, trusting the improvements he had made to his game. He added that self-belief and clarity helped him deliver when the team needed him most.
Samson also spoke about the responsibility of anchoring India’s innings in the final against New Zealand, revealing he remained patient even after a string of dot balls against Mitchell Santner because he was confident about executing his plans later in the innings.
He concluded by praising the contributions of teammates, including Ishan Kishan and Jasprit Bumrah, saying India’s title triumph was the result of a complete team effort.
