The 31-year-old wicketkeeper-batter has long been a local hero in Kerala. Fans lined up at the airport to catch a glimpse of him, cheering the loudest when he stepped out of the arrival gate. This isn’t just fandom—it’s a reflection of Samson’s stature in his home state, where cricketing talent and celebrity often merge.
Though part of India’s 2024 World Cup-winning squad, Samson didn’t play a match in that tournament. This time, however, he is a key contender for India’s role as keeper and opening batter, and expectations are sky-high. After a string of modest scores in the preparatory series against New Zealand—10, 6, 0, and 24—fans are eager to see him finally step up on home turf at Greenfield International Stadium.
“Sanju loves turning up. He has a big passion for Kerala cricket and wants to inspire the next generation. He always tells youngsters, ‘Don’t think IPL, think India.’ If all these things come together, nothing better for the local fans,” said Biju, one of his mentors.
Technically, Samson has shown he can handle extreme conditions, as Zubin Bharucha, Rajasthan Royals’ director of cricket, pointed out: scoring a hundred on a seaming, bouncing pitch in South Africa against fast bowlers like Marco Jansen and Gerald Coetzee shows there’s no flaw in his game.
For Samson, the homecoming is more than just another match—it’s a personal and emotional milestone. Fans in Kerala will be hoping that he turns the occasion into a spectacular performance, silencing doubts and celebrating the hero they have long revered.
