Sanju Samson's Influence Helps Kerala's Unsung Cricket Talent Chase Bigger Dreams

Sanju Samson's impact on cricket in Kerala extends well beyond the runs he scores for India. For aspiring cricketers and behind-the-scenes professionals in his home state, the wicketkeeper-batter has become a source of encouragement, advice and inspiration.

Two stories emerging from India's recent international cricket activity in Thiruvananthapuram illustrate that influence. Anoop Sree, a throwdown specialist working to develop an unusual two-arm skill, and Mohammed Irshad, a fast bowler who earned opportunities as a net bowler, both have personal connections to Samson.

Anoop Sree's Opportunity With West Indies

Anoop Sree had spent years working around the Thiruvananthapuram Cricket Stadium, helping batters prepare with a sidearm throwdown device. His experience took an unexpected turn before the first ODI between India and West Indies, when West Indies head coach Daren Sammy invited him to work in the middle nets.

Sammy used the session to test batters with throwdowns, and Anoop's accuracy and ability to vary deliveries quickly caught the coach's attention. After the session, Sammy asked which IPL team Anoop worked for and praised his quality as a throwdown specialist.

For Anoop, the compliment was significant. His own playing career had stalled because of a knee injury, but he had continued to pursue opportunities in cricket through training support and technical work.

From a Playing Dream to a Specialist Role

At 29, Anoop has built experience as a sidearm specialist, working with players including Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana during India's previous visit to Thiruvananthapuram. He has also served as a throwdown specialist and fielding coach in the Kerala Cricket League.

His work has included individual training sessions with Ranji Trophy players from Kerala. One of the players he has worked with most closely is Samson, whose advice helped shape Anoop's next experiment.

Samson's Advice Sparks an Unusual Experiment

Anoop had been generating speeds of around 140–145 kmph with his right arm. At the same time, he had begun experimenting with his left arm, initially out of curiosity.

During a training camp, he asked Samson whether he should concentrate exclusively on his established right-arm skill or continue developing his left-arm throwdowns.

Samson encouraged him to pursue the second option, explaining that left-arm throwdown specialists are rare and could provide a valuable service to batters preparing for different bowling angles.

The advice came with an important condition: Anoop needed to be genuinely committed to mastering the skill rather than treating it as a novelty or marketing idea.

Learning to Use Both Arms

Anoop took the suggestion seriously. He began using his left hand for everyday activities such as writing, eating and brushing his teeth, gradually working to improve his coordination and control.

By the following month, he was reaching speeds of approximately 125–130 kmph with his left arm. He also began working on slower deliveries, cutters and other variations, with the aim of maintaining accuracy while expanding his range.

His longer-term ambition is to develop a reliable collection of deliveries with both arms. He recognises that speed alone is not enough: a throwdown specialist must consistently reproduce the lengths and lines requested by batters.

Why Accuracy Matters More Than Novelty

Anoop did not use his left arm during the West Indies training session. He explained that the responsibility of working with international batters requires complete confidence and precision, with little room for experimentation during a high-value practice session.

Instead, he intends to continue testing his two-arm skill with Kerala players during the domestic season. Only after building sufficient confidence does he hope to use it regularly in higher-level training environments.

Ambidextrous throwdown specialists remain unusual, and Anoop believes that consistent accuracy will determine whether his experiment becomes a practical professional skill.

A Session to Remember With Daren Sammy

The session with Sammy gave Anoop a valuable glimpse into the atmosphere of an international team's preparation. The coach set different targets for batters, turning the practice into a competitive exercise while keeping the environment enjoyable.

At one point, Sammy requested a sharp bouncer against a tall batter who needed a single from the final ball of a simulated challenge. Anoop delivered a short ball that struck the batter's glove and helmet, prompting Sammy to congratulate him.

The interaction demonstrated how international practice can combine demanding technical work with competition and team spirit.

Mohammed Irshad's Journey as a Net Bowler

Another Kerala cricketer, Mohammed Irshad, also benefited from the opportunities created around the India-West Indies series. A member of the Kerala Cricket League's 2026 champions, Thrissur Titans, Irshad was called up as a net bowler for both teams.

The opportunity came through Prasanth Padmanabhan, a former IPL bowler who now works as a coach and selector. It allowed Irshad to bowl to some of India's leading batters while gaining experience in an international training environment.

A Meeting With Samson That Changed His Outlook

Irshad's connection with Samson goes back to March 2020, shortly before the COVID-19 lockdown. He had travelled to Thumba hoping to watch Samson bat and possibly take a photograph with him.

Instead, Irshad found himself helping collect balls during a centre-wicket session. Samson later invited the young bowlers present to bowl at him, giving Irshad the chance to deliver several balls.

After noticing him, Samson asked where he came from and how he had reached the ground. He then invited Irshad to return the following day.

From Collecting Balls to Bowling With the New Ball

When Irshad returned, he was given a new ball and asked to open the bowling during the session. He managed to bowl Samson through the off stump, an achievement he still remembers proudly.

Samson also appreciated Irshad's slower delivery. The interaction gave the young fast bowler valuable encouragement and helped turn a hoped-for photograph with a star into a meaningful cricketing experience.

Irshad also remembers Samson offering him a lift when he noticed the young bowler walking towards the main road after the session.

Samson's Influence Beyond the Scoreboard

Samson's importance to Kerala cricket is not limited to his status as an international player. Stories from Anoop and Irshad show how informal guidance, access to training and a few words of encouragement can make a difference to people pursuing careers in the game.

For Anoop, that support helped turn an unusual left-arm experiment into a serious professional development project. For Irshad, it transformed a chance encounter into an opportunity to bowl in front of elite batters.

Behind Every International Team

Cricket's international performances depend on more than the players who appear in the scorecard. Throwdown specialists, net bowlers, analysts, coaches and other support staff help prepare teams for the demands of competition.

People such as Anoop and Irshad often work away from the spotlight, but their roles can provide important pathways into professional cricket. Opportunities to train with international teams can also help them build experience and professional connections.

Kerala's Cricket Community Benefits

Kerala has developed a strong following around Samson, whose rise from domestic cricket to the international stage has made him one of the state's most recognisable sporting figures.

His willingness to share advice and offer encouragement has become part of that wider connection. While individual success ultimately depends on the work and ability of each cricketer, guidance from an established international player can help young professionals identify new possibilities.

Two Different Journeys, One Common Influence

Anoop Sree and Mohammed Irshad occupy different roles in cricket, but their stories share a common thread. Both have continued pursuing their ambitions through hard work, and both identify Samson as someone whose support helped them move forward.

One is developing a rare two-arm throwdown skill, while the other has gained experience as a net bowler for international sides. Their experiences underline the often-unseen network of people who contribute to cricket beyond match day.

The Impact That Statistics Cannot Measure

Samson's runs, dismissals and match-winning performances can be recorded in official statistics. His influence on people such as Anoop and Irshad is harder to measure, but it can be equally meaningful to those building their careers.

Their stories offer a reminder that a player's contribution to the sport is not always confined to what happens in the middle. Sometimes, a conversation, an invitation to return to training or a piece of practical advice can help another person see a future in cricket.