'No one will tell me how to bat': Samson's vow to 'not be part of the rat race'
Indian cricketer Sanju Samson has expressed his intent to play on his own terms and avoid the 'rat race' of constant external validation. He credits his shift in mindset to his own experience and advice from Virat Kohli.
Why it matters
This reflects the psychological pressures faced by elite athletes and the evolving approach to career longevity in professional sports.
Senior India wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson has said he decided even before the 2026 T20 World Cup that he would stop worrying about outside opinions and play cricket on his own terms. He added that he no longer wants to be part of the "rat race" and will continue to trust his own instincts.Samson, who scored three consecutive fifties as India retained the Men's T20 World Cup title earlier this year, was later left out of the Zimbabwe tour after a dip in form during the Ireland and England series."I realised that there is a constant rat race in our country, and I decided before the 2026 T20 World Cup that I would not be part of it. I just want to enjoy the game. By God's grace, I have achieved a lot. I am 31 now, and I have a few years left.
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