By Monojit Mandal
SHILLONG: Sanju Viswanath Samson aka Sanju Samson is a wicket-keeper batsman with sound technique both with the bat and gloves behind the stumps. He plays for Indian National Team and Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League.
Samson is one of the most promising wicketkeeper batsmen in Indian Cricket at present. He is the youngest batsman to score 1000 runs in IPL and also the youngest cricketer to captain a Ranji Trophy team.
In a tête-à-tête with The Shillong Times, the promising wicketkeeper batsman shares his views on the effect of lockdown on the sport, its challenges, how it’s impacting player’s fitness and the current state of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
How have you been keeping in touch with the sport?
A: I have been trying to train and stay in touch as much as possible. In the past few months, it’s been extremely difficult to do that. To sort of overcoming that, I have created a small area on my brother’s terrace, it’s completely covered with nets on all sides that allow me to hit my shots and just bat freely using tennis balls. For my wicket-keeping skills, I’ve just been having fun throwing the ball on the wall and then catching it using only my one hand.
Has COVID-19 lockdown been a big loss in respect of individual player as well as the sport?
A: For the last 7-8 years, I have been doing the same, playing IPL in this period of the year. So, yes, it’s a different feeling. Being at home and having nothing to look forward to is bizarre in some ways. As a cricketer, you always want to play and stay mentally prepared for the next game so that has been a loss in some ways.
We would all love to have sport going on in some capacity but it’s a loss for sportsperson and followers of the sport too which we need to accept given the situation around.
What is your take on the sport without fans or playing in an empty stadium?
A: I think right now, safety is the most important thing. If sport without fans is the safer option then that is how it should be.
It will be odd to play big tournaments and international tournaments in empty stadiums but that’s in the general interest now and we must respect it.
On the bright side, they will have the option to watch live cricket on television and enjoy.
Is there any psychological aspect of playing the game in the absence of fans?
A: There is some because playing International cricket or the IPL, we’re used to crowds in the stadiums chanting and cheering for players. Not having that will be different and will take some getting used to. We will need to switch our mindsets and get acclimatised to that atmosphere. Possibly at times would have to motivate ourselves to get going in the absence of the fans.
Do you think IPL will happen this year? If so will it be in an empty stadium?
A: I hope the IPL happens this year. It’s important for the game and we all know how IPL is not just a cricket tournament but a festival that’s celebrated in India. I am not sure of whether it will happen closed doors or not, all I can say is BCCI, teams and organising committees will make the best decision keeping in mind the safety of all. All I can say is it will be a good lift for a lot of our people around the country to just have some high-level live sports entertainment for them after what has been a challenging period.
What is your take on saliva ban?
A: It will be difficult because it’s a natural habit for all to just use saliva to shine the ball. No saliva on the ball will be different and we’ll have to see what other external things could be used to shine the ball now that saliva is banned.
However, whatever rules come in, we will have to follow them.