Quote of the Day by Sanju Samson on career, professionalism and hope: ‘I need to be the villain…’
Sanju Samson's analogy with Mohanlal emphasises adaptability in sports. He advocates flexibility in roles and sees setbacks as opportunities for growth.
"There's our actor, Mohanlal, who received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award. He has been acting for 20, 30, 40 years. I've been playing for India for 10 years now. So, I can't come in and say, 'I can only do the hero role.' I need to be the villain, the joker, play all sorts of roles." - Sanju Samson
These words by Sanju Samson capture a rare honesty about professional sport. Instead of demanding a permanent starring role, Samson compared his career to the long acting journey of Mohanlal, one of Indian cinema’s most versatile performers.
For years, Samson struggled to secure a permanent place in the Indian team. Sometimes, he opened the batting. At other times, he was pushed down the order.
There were also long periods when he was completely left out. Many players see such changes as setbacks. Samson chose a different perspective.
His analogy with Mohanlal reveals a philosophy of adaptability. In cinema, a legendary actor plays heroes, villains, comedians or supporting roles depending on the story.
Samson applied the same thinking to cricket. Instead of insisting on a single role, he decided to contribute wherever the team needed him.
This mindset gained powerful validation during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Samson produced a memorable 97 not out off 50 balls against the West Indies on 1 March 2026, guiding India to the semi-finals.
The innings carried a deeper meaning. Critics had long questioned whether Samson could finish a chase under pressure. By remaining unbeaten and steering the team home, he answered those doubts.
What it means
Samson’s quote highlights the importance of versatility. Success does not always come from being the hero every day.
Sometimes, growth happens while playing smaller roles and learning new responsibilities. Each experience adds skill and resilience.
The quote also emphasises patience. Careers rarely follow a straight path. Waiting for the right moment often requires humility and persistence.
Instead of protecting ego, Samson chose adaptability. That decision eventually produced his “blockbuster” performance.
Where it comes from
Sanju Samson has been part of Indian cricket for more than a decade. Despite immense talent, he often moved in and out of the national side.
During interviews in the T20 World Cup campaign, Samson explained how he stopped worrying about batting positions. He compared the team environment to a film set where the captain and coaches act like directors.
His Mohanlal analogy quickly became popular among fans. It reflected both humility and maturity.
How to apply it today
Takeaway 1: Be flexible with the roles you play in your career.
Takeaway 2: Treat setbacks as training rather than failure.
Takeaway 3: Focus on contributing to the larger goal rather than protecting your ego.
Versatility often creates unexpected opportunities.
Sanju Samson’s journey shows that sometimes the “supporting actor” quietly prepares for the biggest performance of all.
Related readings
Playing It My Way by Sachin Tendulkar
A detailed account of adapting to pressure in international cricket.
Driven: The Virat Kohli Story by Vijay Lokapally
Explores the discipline and mindset behind one of modern cricket’s greatest players.
The Ride of a Lifetime by Robert Iger
Lessons on leadership, adaptability and long-term vision.
Atomic Habits by James Clear
Explains how small habits and adaptability shape long-term success.
About the Author
Sounak Mukhopadhyay covers trending news, sports and entertainment for LiveMint. His reporting focuses on fast-moving stories, box office performance, digital culture and major cricket developments. He combines real-time updates with clear context for everyday readers. <br><br> Sounak brings newsroom experience across breaking news, explainers and long-form features. He has a strong emphasis on accuracy, verification and responsible storytelling. His work tracks audience behaviour, celebrity influence and the business of sport and cinema. He helps readers understand why a story matters beyond the headline. <br><br> Sounak has contributed to widely read digital publications. He continues to build a body of journalism shaped by consistency, speed and editorial clarity. He is particularly interested in the intersection of media, popular culture and public conversation in contemporary India. <br><br> At LiveMint, he writes daily coverage as well as analytical pieces that interpret numbers, trends and cultural moments in accessible language. His approach prioritises factual depth, balanced framing and reader trust. The reporting aligns with modern newsroom standards of transparency and credibility. <br><br> Outside daily reporting, he explores storytelling across formats including podcasts, filmmaking and narrative non-fiction. Through his journalism, Sounak aims to document the rhythms of modern entertainment and sports while maintaining rigorous editorial integrity. <br><br> Sounak continues to develop audience-focused journalism that connects speed with substance in a rapidly-changing information environment. His work seeks clarity, trust and lasting public value in every story he reports.