Asia Cup 2025: "Everyone is given equal importance in the team" - Sanju Samson lauds Suryakumar Yadav, Gautam Gambhir's team culture

Sanju Samson had received limited opportunities in the Indian team since making his debut in 2015. However, he has been a regular feature in the T20I side since Gautam Gambhir and Suryakumar Yadav have joined forces, working as the head coach and captain, respectively.

During his coaching tenure, Gambhir has given a lot of freedom and backing to his players. Suryakumar has also been on the same page, giving long ropes to youngsters, allowing them ample opportunities to cement their spots in the team.

Samson recently credited Gambhir and Suryakumar for how they have managed to keep the dressing room environment stress-free and treated everyone equally.

"I have to give a lot of credit to our team leaders Surya and Gauti bhai (Gautam Gambhir) for how they are keeping the environment,” Samson said in a video shared by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

"It's a very chilled environment. It's a very equal environment. Everyone is treated very equally and everyone is given equal importance in the side,” he added.

Samson, who has been leading Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League (IPL) since 2021, said that the kind of freedom Gambhir and Suryakumar give to the players in the side help them bring out their A-game.

"I think that really brings up the best out of yourself and that's what is required in this format. To be very free and to be responsible. I think the way you give freedom to the team, the teammate," he noted.

Samson was promoted to bat at No. 3 in India's last game of the group stage of the 2025 Asia Cup against Oman. The 30-year-old scored 56 off 45 balls and won the Player of the Match award. During the interview, Samson thanked the management for giving him some time to spend in the middle. He had not had an opportunity to bat in the first two games of the tournament. The wicketkeeper-batter also praised Oman's bowling effort.

"To be honest, I think I'm really grateful to get some time in the middle. I think I've been playing a few games back home, but playing for the country, for the Asia Cup, getting some game time in the middle really helped," he said.

"I think Oman were bowling well in the powerplay, they knew the conditions a bit better than us. So we took some time in between, and we had to respect the opponents and the conditions," he added.

Really enjoyed opening up with Abhi [Abhishek Sharma]: Samson

Samson said that he enjoys batting with the flamboyant Abhishek Sharma. The Pulluvila-born noted that Abhishek tries to keep things simple. The duo added 66 runs off just 34 balls against Oman after Shubman Gill was out cheaply.

"I really enjoyed opening up with Abhi. I think it's a lot of fun. He keeps it very simple and we really did enjoy the small partnership which we had," Samson revealed.

The wicketkeeper-batter further highlighted how the Indian players are taking responsibility both on and off the field.

"I think they also feel responsible to take care of their own performance and also contribute to the team's atmosphere. So yeah, really enjoying it," Samson mentioned.