'There is a constant rat race' - Sanju Samson opens up on competition within Team India & receiving fitness advice from Virat Kohli

Opening batter Sanju Samson talked about the high level of competition within Team India and how he wishes to stay out of it and instead focus on his own game. The 31-year-old also shared insights into fitness and dietary advice he received from Virat Kohli for the betterment of his game.

Samson, who recently lost his place in the T20 side to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, claimed that he will continue playing on his own accord instead of changing his game to suit others. The right-handed batter feels satisfied with his achievements in his career and hence does not want to look too far into the future. He is not worried about the prospect of playing at the 2028 T20 World Cup but will be available should his team require his services. 

"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. So, I have decided to play on my own terms. No one will tell me how to bat or what to do. Sanju will decide for Sanju. With all due respect, I will play, enjoy the game, be a good teammate, and support the group, but I will do it my way. After the 2024 World Cup, I didn't even expect to play in the 2026 World Cup. I wasn't in the 14 or 15-man squad at one point. So how can I plan for 2028? If I'm there, if the team needs me, and if I'm playing well, things will fall into place. If not, I am deeply grateful. No one can take this achievement away from me," Sanju Samson said on JioStar.

Despite being named Player of the Tournament during India's title-winning 2026 T20 World Cup campaign, Samson has been frozen out of the squad in favour of Sooryavanshi during their tour to England after a few low scores against Ireland. The Chennai Super Kings batter was also not picked in the squad that travelled to Zimbabwe for a three-match series. 

Sanju Samson shares conversations with Virat Kohli about fitness and diet

On a lighter note, Samson also talked about the time he had conversations with Kohli about maintaining his fitness and eating the right diet to be an international cricketer. The former India captain stated the importance of following the correct lifestyle and eating the right diet to keep fit and fasten the recovery process. Samson, however, tried to follow Kohli's advice but was unable to do it for a long period of time. 

"We all know how Virat bhai is. He is very clear and very straightforward with everyone. If you need to do something, he will tell you exactly what is required. The way he carries himself in the gym, there is a different fire in that guy and I really love that about him. We both were working out together in the gym during an Indian team camp and I asked him, 'Paaji, what should I do? Tell me something too!' and he told me that lifestyle plays a huge role. If you want to become an international cricketer, you must maintain a different kind of lifestyle. He shared what works for him on his journey and told me, 'This food will help your body recover, this won't. If you maintain this discipline for the next 10 years, you will have a great career ahead.' I started following it for a year, a year, and a half, but after that, I couldn't stay on track with that anymore!" Sanju Samson added on JioStar.