indian wicketkeeper batsman Sanzhou Samson Reveals how his father Viswanathan’s bold decision to move the family from Delhi to Kerala became the defining moment of his cricketing journey.Ahead of India’s second T20I against England at Old Trafford in Manchester, Samson reflected on the key choices that changed his career as he struggled to break into Delhi’s competitive domestic cricket scene.The stylish opener had a fantastic run earlier this year, scoring three consecutive half-centuries to help India lift the T20 World Cup on home soil and was ultimately named the Player of the Tournament. However, his form has dipped in recent times, with figures of 5 and 0 in India’s series loss to Ireland and then in the first T20I against England at Durham, where he scored just 1 due to rain abandonment.Despite the difficult circumstances, Samson will hope to rediscover his touch in the second T20I on Saturday.Recalling his early days of playing cricket on JioStar’s show Superstars, Samson said he had always dreamed of representing Delhi after seeing young cricketers wearing Delhi national team jackets.“Back in school, I used to see my friends wearing DDCA jackets and talking about playing for Delhi State. That motivated me. I wanted to represent Delhi too. I went for trials and made it to state camps a few times and got results, but I never made it to the state team as the competition was very tough,” said Samson. Then he recounted the moment that changed everything.“One day, after the trials, the team list was announced, but my name was not there. We went home without saying a word. Once we reached home, my father told my mother, ‘We have to move to Kerala. We are transforming. My mother wanted us to stay until we finished grade 10, but my father said, ‘No, we have to go now. Pack your bags. I will book the tickets within three days,” Samson added. “We boarded the train, reached Kerala and I started playing for the Kerala team. That was the beginning of my journey with Kerala cricket,” he added.
India take on England in Manchester
After the series opener in Durham was called off due to heavy rain, India and England will look to break the deadlock in the second T20I at Old Trafford in Manchester. Despite the lack of results, India gained confidence as they posted a competitive 189/7, driven by half-centuries from Abhishek Sharma and skipper Shreyas Iyer.
