Despite being focused on guiding his club in the IPL, the impending World Cup selections were in the back of his mind, and he arrived “most prepared,” according to Indian wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson. The Rajasthan Royals skipper had another great IPL season, scoring 531 runs, including five half-centuries, and was finally given his due when he was included in India’s 15-man squad for the T20 World Cup in the United States and the West Indies. Samson, a highly underrated batter, has only played 16 ODIs and 25 T20Is despite his prolific run in the IPL.

This is the most prepared or experienced Sanju Samson has come into this World Cup. Ten years of lots and lots of failures, few successes here and there. Life in cricket has taught me everything I needed to know before we came to this crucial tournament, said Samson in a video posted by the BCCI.

The IPL covered all my mind space, I think. There was a lot to do, there was a lot to think about being the captain of the side. I guess my mind was always occupied, but somewhere at the back of my mind it was there, the World Cup selections are also around, the right-handed batter added.

It was a huge thing. It was like one of the best things that could have happened to my career, and those thoughts keep playing. I knew I’ve had a reasonably good season in the IPL where I had my chances to get in. But, at the same time, I knew how tough it was. It can be either both sides because it depends on what the team wants, the exact combination our team management or the selectors are looking for, Samson concluded.