‘Pack Your Bags, We’re Moving to Kerala’: Sanju Samson Reveals Father’s Bold Call That Changed Everything

India wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson has shared an emotional story from his early cricketing days, revealing how a bold decision by his father completely transformed his career.

Ahead of India’s second T20I against England at Old Trafford, Manchester, Samson looked back at the turning point that took him from disappointment in Delhi to becoming one of India’s most exciting white-ball players.

The 31-year-old recalled that as a young cricketer in Delhi, he had one dream — to represent the state team.

Watching schoolmates wear the DDCA jacket and speak proudly about playing for Delhi motivated him to chase the same goal. Samson attended trials, made it to state camps, and consistently scored runs, but breaking into the final squad proved nearly impossible because of the intense competition.

Then came the moment that changed everything.

Samson revealed that after one particular trial, when the final team list was announced and his name was missing yet again, he returned home in silence with his father, Viswanathan Samson.

What happened next surprised the entire family.

According to Sanju, his father immediately told his mother that they had to leave Delhi and move to Kerala. While his mother wanted the family to wait until the children completed Class 10, his father insisted there was no time to lose.

Within just three days, the family packed their bags, boarded a train, and moved south.

That bold leap of faith opened a new chapter in Sanju’s life.

Once in Kerala, he began playing state cricket and slowly built the foundation of a career that would eventually take him to the Indian national team.

Looking back now, Samson credits that decision as one of the biggest reasons behind his success.

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The timing of his revelation comes at an important phase in his career. Earlier this year, Samson enjoyed one of the best runs of his international journey, scoring three consecutive half-centuries and playing a crucial role in India’s T20 World Cup triumph on home soil, where he was named Player of the Tournament.

However, his recent form has been less convincing.

In the series against Ireland, he managed scores of 5 and 0, while in the rain-hit opening T20I against England in Durham, he was dismissed for just 1 run before the match was washed out.

As India and England prepare for the second T20I in Manchester, the series remains level after the no-result in Durham.

India will take confidence from their strong total of 189/7 in the first game, powered by solid knocks from Abhishek Sharma and captain Shreyas Iyer.

For Sanju Samson, the next match presents another opportunity — not just to find form again, but to remind everyone why one bold family decision years ago changed Indian cricket forever.