Despite scoring two half-centuries in the recent series against Afghanistan, Sanju Samson was under pressure heading into the second T20I against the West Indies in Ranchi. Runs had been hard to come by in his previous four innings, but the right-hander answered his critics in style, smashing a quickfire 82 off 41 balls to help India post 249/5 in 20 overs.
During the mid-innings break, Samson was asked if he had done anything differently in Ranchi compared to his previous four T20I outings, in which he had scored 9, 7, 2 and 11.
“I did ask you, when runs are not flowing, what's the response? You did respond with a fine innings. What was the point of difference in this innings as compared to your last four in this format?” asked Daren Ganga. In response to the question, the 31-year-old kept it simple: one cannot think about playing for oneself, as professional sport requires everyone to put the team first.
“Nothing. I don't think so. I think being a professional cricketer playing for India, I think you definitely take care of the professional side of it. You do your preparation, you do your practice, you do your training, you do everything possible in your hands. But to be very honest, I think we all know that in this format, the result is not in your hands; there is only one way to go. So you can't say I've had bad three innings, so let's take some time, let's build my innings, and then we will see,” Samson told the broadcaster.
“No, there is only one way to go. I think the team is in front. My job is to give my country a great start, and I try to do that. I also take responsibility when I get out. So that's totally fine, and I'm taking the blame on myself. I don't blame anyone else for not scoring runs, actually. That's my job, and I try to do it every time I step out to the ground,” he added.
{{/usCountry}}“No, there is only one way to go. I think the team is in front. My job is to give my country a great start, and I try to do that. I also take responsibility when I get out. So that's totally fine, and I'm taking the blame on myself. I don't blame anyone else for not scoring runs, actually. That's my job, and I try to do it every time I step out to the ground,” he added.
{{/usCountry}}Earlier this year, Samson was adjudged Player of the Series in India’s T20 World Cup-winning campaign, but Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s rise made things interesting. The team management shuffled between Sooryavanshi and Samson before persisting with the pair that brought India reasonable success.
‘Positive frame of mind’
In 2026, whenever Samson has gone on to play at least 15 balls in a T20I innings, he has gone on to smash a half-century. The Ranchi T20I was the first instance this year where Samson's score of fifty went in vain as the Windies chased down the daunting total of 250 with six wickets in hand and nine balls to spare.
For Samson, the mindset has been the same, and nothing has changed despite the underwhelming last few games. “I just try to look at the ball and have a very positive frame of mind. I think if the ball is in my area, I definitely go for it. So it doesn't matter if it's over cover or overlong. So it depends on where the bowler is bowling. I don't like to get a bit premeditated. I just like to be blunt, watch the ball and back my instincts,” said Samson.