'One day I lost my mind after getting out, threw my bat and left the stadium' - Sanju Samson recalls frustrating moments of last five years of his career

The charismatic right-handed batter Sanju Samson earned a breakthrough success in his first two editions (2013 and 2014) of the Indian Premier League. Looking at his talent, the selectors pinned hopes on him and included him in the Zimbabwe tour of 2015. However, he could not grab the opportunity and was not able to cement his place in the national side.

In the latest interaction, Samson stated that he was just around 20 years of age when he made his India debut. But, his inconsistency played a key role in his ouster from the Indian team, and then made a return, when he was 25. He revealed that this five-year period was the most challenging time for him, and was dropped from the Kerala state team as well.

“I made my debut when I was 19 or 20, and when I was 25, I was again selected to play for the Indian team. Those five years was the most challenging time for me. I was even dropped from the Kerala side, and then you are facing a lot of doubt within yourself, thinking Sanju can you come back. If you are realistic and honest, you go through these phases,” Samson said on Breakfast with Champions show on YouTube.

One day I lost my mind after getting out, threw my bat, and left the stadium: Sanju Samson

The Rajasthan Royals captain also revealed that in those challenging times in his career, he broke his bat on one of the occasions, sat at the Marine Drive, and thought of going back to his home, leaving everything due to his bad form. Samson then added that after he came at night, he felt bad that he had broken his favourite bat as well.

“In those five years, I used to get dismissed quite early, and on one of the occasions, I came in the dressing room after getting out, threw my bat, and left the stadium, while the match was going on. I was at Brabourne Stadium and thought I should leave cricket and return to my home, you take this bat and I am going back to Kerala,” said the Royals captain.

“I walked out to Marine Drive and was looking at the sea, and thinking, what’s going on. After sitting for two to four hours, I returned at night after the match got concluded and immediately looked at my bat, which was broken. I felt very bad and certainly should have hit the bat on the pillow,” Samson added.