With Rahul Dravid back at Rajasthan Royals as the Head Coach, Sanju Samson turned the clock on how his association with the team started.
Samson made his Indian Premier League bow with the Royals in 2013, under the captaincy of Dravid.
“A couple of months before I came (to the Royals), I think the trials were happening in Jaipur. Rahul sir was there, Paddy Upton was there, Zubin Bharucha was there," Samson said in an interview with Star Sports.
“I was not expecting a lot from these trials. You never know what will happen, what kind of players they are looking for. I have never batted so well, before or after that day. It was a very special day for me,” Sanju opened up about his experience of batting in the Royals’ trials.
Samson has gone on to become the most-capped player for the Royals with 146 appearances. He is also the top run-getter for the side with 3934 runs at an average of 31.72 and a strike rate of 140.55.
During the IPL 2024 season, Sanju Samson also went past the legendary Shane Warne to play the most number of matches as captain of the Rajasthan Royals. Samson has captained the team in 61 matches, after taking over the reins in 2021, winning 31 of those.
In four seasons as captain, Samson has led the Royals to the playoffs in two including an appearance in the IPL final in 2022.
"That day (during the Royals’ trials) Rahul sir told me 'You are definitely doing something really great. Would you like to play for our team?' It gave me a lot of confidence, coming from Rahul sir who has been a legend,” Samson recollected.
“If someone like him is saying I am good enough, then I am good enough.”
Photo Credit: Sanju Samson
