Samson family celebrates Sanju's IPL success

The Samson family witnessed a huge crowd at their rented accommodation here Tuesday a day after their son 18-year-old Sanju Viswanath Samson struck a 41-ball 63 in Rajasthan Royals' four-wicket win over Royal Challengers Bangalore in Jaipur.

Sanju's mother found it hard to control her emotions.

"He called me after the match last night and asked me if I had watched him play. I said yes and told him we are all happy for your efforts," said Sanju's mother as tears rolled down her cheeks.

Sanju's father Viswanath Samson, a former footballer, was a constable with Delhi Police but took voluntary retirement and returned to their home town here to mould the cricketing career of his two sons.

"It's a dream come true for all of us and the ultimate dream for all of us when he plays for the country. We wish him all the very best and wish that God hears our prayers and helps him play for the country," said Viswanath Samson, who now makes a living working as a football coach to young kids in the city.

Viswanath's elder son Saly Samson, who is in his second year of college and plays for Kerala, thanked Rahul Dravid and Rajasthan Royal's team management for giving his brother a chance to perform.

Incidentally, fellow Keralite and speedster S. Sreesanth plays along Sanju Samson for Rajasthan Royals and, in a lighter vein, students who are now turning fans of Samson wish that the young boy learns only the good aspects from Sreesanth.

So far, Sreesanth, Abey Kuruvilla and Tinu Yohannan are the only Keralites who have donned the country's colours.