IPL 2020 EXCLUSIVE: Sanju Samson Used To Stay In A Monastery During Lockdown For Practice, Hired Personal Trainer & Cook, Reveals Childhood Coach

Sanju, like most of the players of the IPL, had to stay away from competitive cricket for over 6 months due to the pandemic situation. But he is in rhythm from the very beginning of the tournament.

Sanju Samson his childhood coach Biju George.

IPL 2020: Disappointment never leaves him after almost every Indian senior team selection meeting. Sanju Samson used to wait eagerly for a call and was almost certain about getting a chance, but ended up being kept outside the frame of the national team. An upset Sanju went to the Medical College Ground at Thiruvananthapuram, met his childhood coach Biju George, and asked him, “Sir, what more can I do for a national team call?” Biju never allowed his disciple to mourn for being ignored by the national selectors. Rather, he advised Sanju to be positive and concentrate on performance only. In ongoing IPL, Sanju is seen in devastating form with the bat, scoring 159 runs in 2 matches, with a strike rate of 214.86. He scored 74 off 32 balls against Chennai Super Kings in the first match followed by a blistering 85 off 42 balls in the next match against Kings XI Punjab. He was adjudged man of the match in both the occasions. And what is impressive is the fact that he has to play against some of the top bowlers of the world including Mohammed Shami, Ravinder Jadeja, Lungi Ngidi. Sanju didn’t bother though, hitting 5 boundaries and 16 sixers in two innings. It seems that he is in a mode to send a message to those who thought he is not good enough for the national team. And Biju is happy to see Sanju in this form with the willow, clearing the fences so effortlessly. “Sanju batting with so much dominance is a very good sign for Indian cricket. He, along with K L Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Shubman Gill are the future of Indian cricket,” Biju, who is the current fielding coach of David Warner led Sunrisers Hyderabad side, said to ABP LIVE over WhatsApp call from Dubai. When Sanju first came to the Sports Authority of India (SAI) complex at Medical College Ground at Thiruvananthapuram, he was an 11 years old kid. Biju started to supervise his cricketing journey. And gradually, under the watchful eyes of Biju, Sanju established his name as one of the most promising wicketkeeper-batsman of the country. What impressed you the most about the innings that Sanju played against KXIP? “Timing, timing, sheer timing,” uttered Biju. He went on to say, “He makes batting look so easy. You don’t have to possess muscular body to clear the fences. If you hit the ball with the sweetest part of your bat, you can hit sixes easily. Sanju has proved it.” Sanju, like most of the players of the IPL, had to stay away from competitive cricket for over 6 months due to the pandemic situation. But he is in rhythm from the very beginning of the tournament. How is this possible? Biju said, “At Thiruvananthapuram, there was strict lockdown. Sanju went to the neighbouring Koilan district. There he stayed at the monastery with the priest. He never stopped being in practice. Sanju follows a very strict diet chart and he hired a cook to ensure he didn’t put on any extra calories. He also hired personal trainer. At Koilan, one of his acquaintances, Raifi Wilson has net facility. Sanju used to practice there with plastic ball. He trained on the sand at sea beach, he hit the gym. That is why he is looking so fit.” Biju now prays that Sanju gets a call in the national team. “Its injustice not to give him most deserving chance to play in the Indian team frequently,” said Biju. He further added, “I still remember that he hit a century in a trial match at Aloor on a difficult pitch. Still he was overlooked and Hanuma Vihari was given the chance. Later, Rishabh Pant was given priority. Sanju is as talented as Rishabh. Why will he be deprived? Sanju can bat, possess safe hands behind the stumps, can field anywhere. He is a deserving candidate for a spot in the national team.”