India wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson revealed how his father Viswanathan’s brave decision to move the family from Delhi to Kerala became a defining moment in his cricketing journey.Ahead of India’s second T20I against England at Old Trafford in Manchester, Samson reflected on the crucial selection that changed the course of his career after struggling to break into Delhi’s highly competitive domestic cricket set-up.The classy opener enjoyed a dream run earlier this year, hitting three consecutive half-centuries to help India win the T20 World Cup on home soil and finish as player of the tournament. However, his recent form has dipped, with figures of 5 and 0 during India’s run of defeats against Ireland, followed by just one run in the rain-abandoned first T20I against England in Durham.Despite the lean part, Samson will be hoping to rediscover his touch in the second T20I on Saturday.Recalling his early cricketing days on JioStar’s show Superstars, Samson said he always dreamed of representing Delhi after watching young cricketers wearing the jacket of the Delhi national team.“In school, I used to see my friends wearing the DDCA jacket and talking about playing for the Delhi national team. That motivated me. I wanted to represent Delhi too. I attended trials, reached the national camps a few times and scored points, but I never made it to the national team because the competition was extremely strong,” said Samson. He then recounted the moment that changed everything.“One day, after the trial, the team list was announced and my name wasn’t there. We came home speechless. As soon as we got home, my father told my mother, ‘We have to move to Kerala.’ We are changing.’ My mother wanted us to stay until we finished the 10th grade, but my father said, ‘No, we have to go now. Pack your bags. “I book the tickets for three days,” added Samson. “We boarded the train, reached Kerala and I started playing for the Kerala state team. Thus began my journey with Kerala cricket,” he added.
India take on England in Manchester
India and England will look to break the deadlock when they meet in the second T20I at Old Trafford in Manchester, after the opening game in Durham was washed out by rain. Despite no results, India would gain confidence from posting a competitive 189/7, powered by half-centuries from Abhishek Sharma and captain Shreyas Iyer.
