‘Sanju, you can also do that’: Sanju Samson reveals Sachin Tendulkar’s knock that inspired his cricket dream | Cricket News

NEW DELHI: India wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson has revealed that Sachin Tendulkar’s legendary “Desert Storm” innings in Sharjah in 1998 was the second that satisfied him he might at some point play for India.The knock — 143 off 131 balls towards Australia — is remembered as considered one of Tendulkar’s most iconic efforts. Although India misplaced that match, Sachin’s brilliance ensured qualification for the finals. For a younger Samson, it was a turning level.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!“I was watching a game sitting in Delhi police quarters or police colony room on a small TV. Sachin sir was batting in that game, the Sharjah storm innings, he was just smashing the bowlers. So, that moment it actually struck me that ‘Sanju, you can also do that’. That actually inspired me the most,” Samson stated in a dialog with R Ashwin.

The Rajasthan Royals skipper, who joined the franchise in 2013, recalled how his early profession was formed by alternatives created by senior gamers. Before RR, Samson had a stint with Kolkata Knight Riders however didn’t break into the taking part in XI. His breakthrough got here after impressing former Kerala teammate S Sreesanth, who later launched him to Rahul Dravid throughout RR trials.“Rahul sir used to just practice, practice, practice, and that is how I saw him when I was a 14-year-old kid. The second time was when Sreesanth bhai took me to the RR trials at the age of 17. He used to take 5-7 players from Kerala every year for trials. We used to play Ranji together, and one game he did not see me in the team. So, he called up the secretary and asked why is Sanju not in the team. Next day I flew to play against Andhra, and I scored a 100 in front of him,” Samson stated.

Samson performed for RR from 2013 to 2015, returned in 2018 after a stint with Delhi Daredevils, and has since change into the face of the franchise — however it began with that one stormy day in Sharjah.