Team India's 25-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson has credited all his learnings in cricket to Rahul Dravid and said that interacting with the former India batsman at the age of 18 was a blessing. Sanju Samson said that he was fortunate to have someone like Rahul Dravid in his life.
Sanju Samson was recruited by Rajasthan Royals in 2013, the time when Rahul Dravid was the coach and captain of the team. Samson, was nurtured by the legendary batsman also during his India A stint.
The Kerala batsman said that Rahul Dravid went through "rough" as well as "golden" times during his playing period and that helps him in communicating better with the youngsters. The Trivandrum-born said Dravid taught them about ways of facing failures and successes in their lives and much more.
"Interacting with Rahul sir at the age of 18 was really a blessing for me. I am blessed to have someone like Rahul sir in my life.
"Dravid sir is a cricketer and a coach who has gone through rough times and the golden times as well. So, he knows how to communicate or how to convince a cricketer. What type of mindset we should have, or how we should prepare for a tournament, or how we should face failures and successes in our life and much more," Sanju Samson told Times of India.
Sanju Samson, who made his debut for India in 2015, revealed that Rahul Dravid have told all the youngsters that his "doors are always open". Samson added that whenever in doubted he reaches out to Rahul Dravid and talk to him.
"I have learnt almost everything from Dravid sir from the age of 18 to 20 at the Rajasthan Royals and then during my India A stint. I would like to say that not only me, almost every youngster in the Indian team has (been) groomed under Dravid sir. He always says 'my doors are always open’. We can call him or contact him and get his advice on any topic. Whenever I am in doubt, I call Dravid sir," Samson added.
Sanju Samson has spent most part of his IPL career with Rajasthan Royals (RR) and he calls it his "second home now". He said playing for RR puts a smile on face.
"The journey has been amazing with Rajasthan Royals. When I was 18, there was no other team who gave me an opportunity on this big stage. Rajasthan Royals showed their trust in me and they saw the potential in me and they gave me the opportunity. Dravid sir was my captain and when I made my debut, he came and said ‘just go out there and express yourself"
"From that day, RR became a second family for me. Whenever I go to the Royals, I am always smiling, happy and laughing. I really enjoy playing cricket with them," Sanju Samson said.