‘We have to move to Kerala’: Sanju Samson reveals his father’s bold career-changing decision

India batsman Sanju Samson has revealed how his father Viswanathan’s bold 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 choice that changed the direction of his career after struggling to break into the highly competitive domestic cricket set-up in Delhi.The stylish opener enjoyed a dream run earlier this year, hitting three consecutive half-centuries to help India lift the T20 World Cup on home soil and finishing as player of the tournament. However, his recent form has dipped, with scores of 5 and 0 during India’s series defeat to Ireland, followed by just 1 run in the rain-abandoned first T20I against England in Durham.Despite the slim patch, Samson will be hoping to rediscover his touch in the second T20I on Saturday.Recalling his early cricketing days on JioStar’s Superstars show, Samson said he always dreamed of representing Delhi after watching young cricketers wearing the Delhi State team jacket.“Back in school, I would see my friends wearing a DDCA jacket and they would talk about playing for the Delhi state team. That motivated me. I also wanted to represent Delhi. I took part in the trials, made it to the state camps a few times and scored, but I never made it to the state team because the competition was extremely tough,” said Samson. Then he recounted the moment that changed everything.“One day, after tryouts, the team list was announced and my name wasn’t there. We returned home without a word. As soon as 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 finished class 10, but my father said, “No, we have to go now. Pack your bags. I’ll book the tickets in 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 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 series opener in Durham was washed away by rain. Despite no result, India would take confidence from posting a competitive 189/7, powered by half-centuries from Abhishek Sharma and skipper Shreyas Iyer.