New Delhi, September 16, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
India wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson has acknowledged the intense scrutiny that comes with playing for the national team, saying another failure can bring a fresh wave of criticism. However, he insists he has learned to accept the pressure and continue playing with the same attacking intent.
Samson made the remarks after smashing 57 off just 22 balls in the second T20I against Afghanistan at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Tuesday, helping India chase down the target by seven wickets and take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
“Being an Indian cricketer, it’s not easy to face failures, but that’s where my experience comes in. I try to shut out the noise, remain confident and keep scoring at a high strike rate—even knowing that if I fail again, I’ll face a lot of noise again,” Samson said at the post-match press conference.
The 31-year-old said India’s aggressive approach in T20 cricket naturally involves risk. He stressed that consistency should be measured through preparation and mindset rather than results.
“You can’t control the consistency in the result in this format,” he said, adding that players have to maintain consistency in their preparation, practice and mental approach.
Samson also addressed the competition for places at the top of India’s batting order. He said players competing for the same positions do not see each other as rivals, insisting that the team’s success comes first.
“They are competitors for the outside world, but we are a team and we are playing for a country and we want to win the game first,” he said.
He also backed the team management’s difficult selection decisions, saying players must be prepared to wait for their opportunities rather than becoming negative or resentful.
Samson admitted that criticism can still affect him despite his experience. With a touch of humour, he said he tries to “turn off my Wi-Fi” to avoid negative comments, although he acknowledged that the “Wi-Fi” sometimes gets switched back on.
“I’m not a machine or a robot to say it doesn’t affect me. It definitely affects you,” he said, explaining that he then reminds himself of who he is and what he needs to do.
For Samson, the key is to recognise the pressure without allowing it to dictate his cricket.
“Whatever pressure you are under, you realise what type of player you are and you just go out there to express yourself, keeping the team first,” he said.
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