Sanju Samson believes that the power behind the mighty shots comes from his name

 By K.R. Nayar

Rajasthan Royals skipper Sanju Samson stunned cricket fans yesterday with his powerful shots during the course of his century. Read about the tale behind his enormous power. Kings XI Punjab’s left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh who bowled the last over and stopped Samson to ensure his team a victory has the habit of learning by asking questions constantly to senior players in his team. 

Sanju Samson plays one of his powerful shots against Kings XI Punjab. Photo: Courtesy IPL

Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson cracked a blistering knock of 119 displaying his mighty strength and timing to chase a tough target on the fourth day of the Indian Premier League. Chasing King’s XI Punjab’s total of 221 for 6, Samson carried his team to just four runs short of the target. It is his belief that he is one of the strongest men in this world that makes him play such knocks.

During the course of the innings, it looked like all deliveries bowled to him would sail for a six or crash to the fence for a boundary. Samson hit seven sixes and 12 boundaries during his 63-ball knock. There is a reason behind his mighty hits.

I have been fortunate to have spoken to Samson on his batting style, and his approach to the game. His strength amazes everyone and on Monday, against Punjab, he got everyone to watch with admiration at his ability to hit any bowler. Samson once revealed that the power behind his shots comes from his genes since his father was a well-built man. His father, Viswanath, was a police constable with the Delhi Police and a football player who represented Delhi in the prestigious Santosh Trophy football tournament.

Sanju Samson on reaching his century against Kings XI Punjab. Photo: Courtesy IPL

When he was asked as to how he gets the confidence to hit such sixes, Samson's reply was: “I always remind myself of my name. Samson is the strongest man in the world (according to the Bible). I keep reminding myself of that, and that I am very strong and I can hit sixes.”

As an Under-13 boy, he was ignored by the Delhi Under-13 cricket team. Samson’s father then took voluntary retirement from Delhi Police and moved to Kerala where he came across a hard-working coach, Biju George, who taught him the basics of the game.  Speaking after receiving the man of the match on Monday, Samson revealed how his strong basics of the game helped him play the knock. “The second part of my innings was my best IPL performance. But I went back to the basics, communicated with my partners, accepted they were bowling well, rotated the strike early on, and got into my rhythm”.

Turban-clad Arshdeep's intelligent last over 

Who is Arshdeep Singh who stopped Sanju Samson with his intelligent last over and gave Kings XI Punjab a four runs win? This 22-year-old left-arm pacer was born in Madhya Pradesh and plays for Punjab in the Ranji Trophy. He once revealed that he gets boosted to give his best when representing Punjab. This turban-clad boy is a fighter to the core. In 2018, while representing the Punjab Under-23 team, he wrecked Rajasthan by taking eight wickets including a hat-trick in the CK Nayudu Trophy. He was also part of the India Under-19 team that lifted the Under-19 World Cup in 2018.

Arshdeep Singh speaks after his fine spell against Rajasthan Royals. Photo: Courtesy IPL

Arshdeep has this habit of constantly asking questions to his teammates to help him improve his game. He had once jokingly remarked that top players may not enjoy his company since he keeps asking them questions and makes sure to get as many tips as possible from them.  After Monday’s match against Rajasthan, he candidly admitted that while bowling the last over his heart was pounding wildly but he ensured that he bowls according to the plan of bowling yorkers outside the off stump. He returned with figures of 3 for 35.