Sanju Samson reveals how Rahul Dravid spotted him and asked him to play for Rajasthan Royals

Back in 2013, Sanju Samson became the youngest player to score a fifty in the IPL. Only 18-year-old then, the world had already seen the talent of this Kerala born cricketer. However, the credit goes to former Rajasthan Royals captain Rahul Dravid for spotting him and bringing him to the franchise. In a recent podcast with the Royals’ spin bowling consultant Ish Sodhi, the Indian wicketkeeper-batsman revealed how he ended up being a player for the franchise.

Recalling the time, Sanju Samson revealed that Rahul Dravid and the team Rajasthan Royals Team director Zubin Bharucha was conducting the trials for the franchise back in the day. After the second day of the trial, the then captain of Royals came to the young batsman asked him whether he would want to play for Rajasthan Royals.

Rahul sir is the most modest person I have ever met: Sanju Samson

“Rahul Bhai and Zubin Bharucha were supervising the trials for Rajasthan Royals. I played a really good knock there, at the end of the second day, Rahul Bhai came to me and asked: “Would you play for my team?”. It was like a dream for me, to have Rahul Bhai come and ask me to play for him,” shared Sanju Samson about his dream interaction with ‘Rahul sir’ during Royals’ trials in 2013.

Speaking about his initial days at the Royals’ camp, Samson revealed he didn’t get to play in the first six matches. However, the Kerala batsman would still engage with senior players like Dravid, Shane Watson and Brad Hodge to learn about the game more.

“At the IPL also I didn’t play the first six games. I would always talk to him (Dravid) and other senior players like Watson, Hodge and learn from them”

Talking about the former Indian captain, the 25-year-old revealed that they are constantly in touch. He also stated that Dravid is the most modest person he has seen and that the latter is always available for any cricketer.

“Even today if I call him and ask for help, he’s always there to help me. Rahul sir is the most modest person I have ever met who is available for every cricketer at any time,” Samson added.