India wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson revealed how his father Viswanathan’s bold decision to move the family from Delhi to Kerala became a pivotal 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 he struggled to break into Delhi’s highly competitive domestic cricket setup.The stylish opener enjoyed a dream run earlier this year, smashing three consecutive half-centuries to help India lift the T20 World Cup on home soil and finish as Player of the Tournament. However, his recent form has dipped, with scores of 5 and 0 during India’s series loss to Ireland, followed by just one run in the rain-abandoned first T20I against England in Durham.Despite the thin patch, Samson hopes to find his touch again 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 don the jacket of the Delhi state team.“Back in school, I saw my friends wearing the DDCA jacket and talking about playing for the Delhi state team. That motivated me. I wanted to represent Delhi as well. I attended trials, went to the state camps a few times and scored runs, but I never made it to the state team because the competition was very tough,” said Samson. He then recounted the moment that changed everything.“One day, after the trials, the team list was announced and my name wasn’t there. We went home without saying anything. When we got home, my father told my mother, ‘We have to move to Kerala. We’re moving.’ My mother wanted us to stay until we completed Class 10, but my father said, ‘No, we have to go. Pack your bags. I booked the tickets for three days,” Samson added. “We boarded the train, reached Kerala, and I started playing for the Kerala state team. That’s how my journey with Kerala cricket began,” he added.
India face England in Manchester
India and England will look to break the deadlock when they meet in the second T20I at Old Trafford, Manchester, after the series opener in Durham was washed out by rain. Despite the no result, India took confidence from posting a competitive 189/7, powered by half-centuries from Abhishek Sharma and captain Shreyas Iyer.