Sanju Samson, the new face of Team India

New Delhi: This 19 years old guy from Kerela where football is more popular and played more than cricket, caught the eyes of the people who know the finer things of the game ever since he started playing at school level. His domestic performance and the kind of show he did in IPL impressed the national selectors. He will be going England for One Day series and a T20 against England later this month. He is extremely happy with his selection in the international squad and whole village is celebrating his success. Take a glimpse of his success story: Its not for nothing that former captain and one of the legends of modern cricket era Rahul Dravid, who was known for playing copy book style cricket, chose him to play for Rajasthan Royals in IPL and he did not disappoint him, playing some match winning knocks. On Saturday he smashed a ton against Pakistan to guide U-19 India to title win in Asia Cup in Sharjah. His parents were quick to attribute his success to mentor Rahul Dravid. So impressive has been his batting that legends like Sunil Gavaskar, Farokh Engineer and Dean Jones were in unison in their praise for Sanju Samson.Few would disagree that this teenager has indeed emerged as a prime contender to be the flag-bearer of Indian cricket in near future. Samson took initial lessons in Delhi before shifting to Thiruvananthapuram.In Thiruvananthapuram, Sanju started creating waves in junior circuit with his bat. His impressive technique combined with an ability to time the ball first earned him a place in Kerala's U-19 team and a consistent outing in the Cooch Behar Trophy (domestic U-19 championship) elevated him into India's team for the U-19 Asia Cup in 2012. He is the youngest to score a half-century in the IPL and in Champions League Twenty20. This he achieved on 29 April 2013 in the match between Rajasthan Royals vs. Royal Challengers Bangalore.Sanju was also adjudged as the 'Best Young Player of the Season' in IPL 2013 in an official poll.Sanju had a grand start to the Ranji Trophy 2013-14. In the first match at Guwahati,Assam put 323 on the board.Sanju scored a Career Best 211 to give Kerala a vital 39-run lead.Sanju hit 23 fours and 5 sixes to bring up his first Double Century.Sanju continued his terrific form in the second match against Andhra Pradesh at Thalassery where he scored 115 from 281 balls with 12 fours and 2 sixes to help Kerala post a mammoth total of 486 in the 1st innings. In the second innings, he scored another 51 not out off 73 balls.The way Sanju performed at all levels gave the result he wanted. Now he is in the senior Team India and would be starting his career soon, that too against England in their home. He could not get a bigger challenge and opportunity than this. His dream has come true and now he will be representing Team India but what he needs to do is perform, perform and perform to maintain his position in the squad. All the best little guy!