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Sanju Samson’s father, Vishwanath, has openly criticized former Indian captains for hindering his son’s progress in international cricket, claiming that his son lost valuable years of his career due to a lack of consistent opportunities. While Samson has finally established himself in India’s T20I lineup, following remarkable performances—including becoming the first Indian to score back-to-back centuries in T20Is—the resentment among those close to him about the delay in his rise to the national team remains palpable.

In a candid and intense interview with Malayali news channel MediaOne, Vishwanath expressed his frustration with the Indian cricket establishment, singling out former captains MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and coach Rahul Dravid for holding back his son's career.

THE 10-YEAR DELAY

Samson, who made his T20I debut back in 2015 at just 21, was initially seen as one of India’s brightest prospects in limited-overs cricket. Despite his potential and outstanding performances in domestic T20 cricket, he struggled to break into the Indian team regularly, as established players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli blocked his path. It wasn’t until 2021 that Sanju Samson started to get consistent opportunities again, when his form in the IPL and his growth as a more mature player caught the selectors’ attention.

Reflecting on this lost time, Vishwanath expressed his bitterness, stating, “There are 3-4 people who wasted 10 years of my son's vital career...captains like Dhoni ji, Virat ji, Rohit ji, and coach Dravid ji.” He emphasized that those 10 years were crucial for his son’s development, and he blamed the former leadership for the delay in giving Samson a fair chance.

However, Vishwanath also credited the support and encouragement Samson received under the new leadership of Suryakumar Yadav and coach Gautam Gambhir, which has finally allowed his son to thrive. "The more they hurt him, the stronger Sanju came out of the crisis,” he added, alluding to how the setbacks only strengthened Samson's resolve.

RISING TO THE TOP

Despite facing early criticism for inconsistency, particularly in the IPL, Samson’s performances have significantly improved over the years. In the past few seasons, particularly since being appointed captain of Rajasthan Royals, his game has flourished. He has managed to score over 450 runs in three out of the last four IPL seasons, proving his credentials as a reliable and match-winning player.

Samson’s recent back-to-back centuries against Bangladesh and South Africa have further solidified his place as one of India’s premier T20 openers. With the retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma following India’s T20 World Cup victory earlier this year, Samson now appears poised to become a mainstay in India’s top order for the foreseeable future.

Looking ahead, Samson is expected to be a key player for India in T20 cricket, with his combination of talent, experience, and recent form positioning him as a long-term fixture in the national team’s plans.

CONCLUSION

While Samson’s journey to the top was delayed, it seems that the 30-year-old is now finally receiving the recognition and opportunities he deserves. With a strong backing from the new leadership under Suryakumar Yadav and Gautam Gambhir, his future looks promising. Despite the frustrations of the past, it is clear that Samson's resilience has turned adversity into strength, making him one of the most exciting players in India’s T20I lineup today.