Sanju Samson Says ‘I’m Not a Machine’: Coping with Criticism, Outside Noise and the Rise of Young Vaibhav

New Delhi, September 15 2026 – After smashing a lightning‑quick 57 off 22 balls in India’s seven‑wicket win over Afghanistan, Sanju Samson took a breath and spoke candidly to the media about the chatter that follows every knock.

“I try to turn off the Wi‑Fi,” he chuckled, mimicking the habit of silencing his phone when the flood of comments threatens to drown his focus. “Sometimes the Wi‑Fi gets turned back on and I see some comments, but I’ve learned to just let them roll past.”

Samson’s honesty was a reminder that even seasoned internationals feel the sting of criticism. “I’m not a machine. I’m not a robot. You kind of get a bit affected,” he admitted, before adding that a quick inner pep‑talk usually steadies him. “I tell myself what I am, what I need to do, and then I go out and play.”

The opener also touched on the broader “outside noise” that engulfs Indian cricketers. “It does affect us, but you have to be crystal clear about your mindset. How you prepare, how you intend to play – that’s what matters. If I had let the noise dictate me, I wouldn’t have batted the way I did.”

In a candid turn, Samson spoke about the rising pressure of a 15‑year‑old prodigy, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who has been rattling the selectors with a string of big scores. “Running an Indian team isn’t easy. A kid that young has already piled up 700‑800 runs. He came in hot, and I had a few lean games,” Samson said, acknowledging the tough call of dropping a player in form.

He explained that the decision was not taken lightly. “The leadership group has been making some hard calls, not just the popular ones. We’ve been talking a lot – with the head coach Gautam Gambhir, with each other – to make sure the team stays ahead.”

Samson, who captained Rajasthan Royals in the IPL, said his own experience of making difficult decisions helped him understand the current scenario. “I’ve been in that spot before, taking tough calls as a captain. Communication is key. You can’t just act on impulse; you have to discuss, weigh options, and then stick to what’s best for the side.”

While the media continues to dissect every dismissal and every innings, Samson’s message was clear: stay grounded, switch off the noise when needed, and trust the collective judgment of the leadership. “We’re all human,” he concluded, “and we’ll keep playing our hearts out, machine‑free.”