Indian wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson has once again made headlines — this time not just for his cricket, but for his heartfelt words. At the CEAT Cricket Rating Awards 2025, held in Mumbai, Samson was honoured with the T20 Cricketer of the Year award. While fans cheered for his achievement, the 30-year-old cricketer’s emotional statement about his journey over the past decade struck a deep chord.
“I never said no to the team”
Speaking at the event, Samson said:
“When you wear the Indian jersey, saying no to anything is never an option. I’ve worked really hard to earn it, and I take pride in doing whatever the team asks of me. Even if they ask me to bat at number nine or bowl left-arm spin, I’ll do it for the team.”
His words reflected the sacrifices and adjustments he has made for Indian cricket, whether opening the innings, stabilising the middle order, or playing under pressure in crunch matches.
VIDEO | Mumbai, Maharashtra: Wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson, speaking at the CEAT Cricket Rating Awards 2025, says, “When you wear the Indian jersey, you can’t say no to anything. I’ve worked really hard to earn it, and I take great pride in doing my job for the country. Even… pic.twitter.com/SEUN4e1MeH
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 7, 2025
“10 years, only 40 matches”
Samson also opened up about the limited opportunities he has had in international cricket despite debuting in 2015.
“Recently, I completed 10 years in international cricket, but I’ve only played around 40 matches in that time. Numbers may not tell the full story, but I’m proud of the challenges I’ve faced and the person I’ve become.”
Despite the ups and downs, Samson’s smile and humility at the ceremony showed the character that has made him a fan-favourite.
A decade of challenges and flashes of brilliance
Since making his India debut, Sanju Samson has featured in 49 T20Is and 16 ODIs, scoring nearly 1,500 international runs with 3 T20I centuries and 1 ODI ton. His fearless batting, especially in T20 cricket, has given India some unforgettable moments — including three T20I centuries in the last 12 months alone.
Yet, as Samson admitted, breaking into India’s star-studded playing XI has never been easy. Despite his consistency, he has often found himself shuffled across batting positions, from opening to the lower middle order, but he has never complained.
Sanju Samson’s words at the CEAT Awards 2025 were more than just a reflection on his cricketing journey — they were a message of perseverance, humility, and commitment. As he lifted the T20 Cricketer of the Year award, his statement reminded fans why, despite limited chances, he continues to remain one of Indian cricket’s most loved and respected figures.
