Sanju Samson Recalls Surreal KKR Trials at Age 14 Under Ganguly

Sanju Samson Recalls Surreal KKR Trials and the Sacrifices That Built His Cricket Journey

Sanju Samson has reflected on one of the defining moments of his early cricket career, revealing how attending Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) selection trials at just 14 years of age felt like a dream come true. The India wicketkeeper-batter shared emotional memories about his childhood, the sacrifices made by his family, and the immense role played by his first coach, Biju George, in helping him become an international cricketer.

Although Sanju Samson is currently out of India's playing XI after a difficult run in the ongoing T20I series against England, the talented batter chose to revisit the inspiring story behind his rise in an episode of JioStar's Superstars.

For Sanju Samson, the opportunity to attend KKR trials at such a young age remains one of the most unforgettable experiences of his cricketing life. He recalled standing in front of former India captain Sourav Ganguly and renowned coach John Buchanan, who were leading Kolkata Knight Riders during the early years of the Indian Premier League.

The youngster impressed during the trials and earned a place in the KKR B team. That selection also gave Sanju Samson the chance to travel to Sri Lanka for matches, an experience that further strengthened his confidence and belief in his cricketing abilities.

However, Sanju Samson made it clear that none of those opportunities would have been possible without his childhood coach, Biju George. He credited the experienced mentor for identifying his talent early and consistently creating opportunities that helped him progress through the ranks.

According to Sanju Samson, his journey truly began when his family made the difficult decision to leave Delhi and move permanently to Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala. The transition was far from easy. His family struggled to secure school admissions because they had shifted during the middle of the academic year.

Eventually, with help from one of his father's close friends, Sanju Samson and his brother received admission to St. Joseph's School. That moment proved to be the beginning of a new chapter, allowing the young cricketer to continue both his education and cricket development without interruption.

Sanju Samson also spoke warmly about his father, Viswanathan, who tirelessly searched for the best cricket coaching available in Kerala before the family even relocated. After numerous phone calls and recommendations, he was introduced to Biju George, who immediately recognised the potential of both brothers during a short trial session.

Within minutes of watching them bat, the coach decided their respective development paths. While Sanju's elder brother was sent to represent Wayanad district, Sanju Samson was asked to prepare for Under-13 cricket, where his remarkable journey officially began.

Beyond cricket, Sanju Samson believes the biggest driving force throughout his career has been the sacrifices made by his parents. Watching his father completely rebuild the family's life and seeing his mother dedicate herself to supporting his dreams created a deep sense of responsibility from an early age.

He admitted that even scores of 30 or 40 runs often felt disappointing because he wanted every innings to justify the hard work and sacrifices made by his family. That pressure, rather than discouraging him, became the motivation that shaped his discipline and determination.

Sanju Samson explained that while many children played cricket simply for enjoyment, he stepped onto the field with a much bigger purpose—to make his parents proud. That mindset helped him remain focused throughout his formative years and ultimately paved the way to representing India at the highest level.

Today, Sanju Samson remains one of India's most talented wicketkeeper-batters. While recent selection decisions have generated discussion, his inspiring journey from a determined youngster in Kerala to international cricket continues to highlight the importance of family support, dedicated coaching, and unwavering perseverance in achieving sporting success.