Indian batter-wicketkeeper Sanju Samson on Saturday was seen in an unusual role. The batter, who slammed his maiden international century just a few days ago in the IND vs SA 3rd ODI, was spotted in a local ground in Kerala. However, he wasn’t keeping or batting, but instead took part in a local seven-a-side football tournament.
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A video of the cricketer playing football surfaced on social media on Saturday and immediately went viral. Sanju can be seen running from midfield with the ball at his feet in the video. He was also spotted carrying out set piece duties during the match by taking a corner.
Football is not a new sport for the Indian cricketers, with the Indian team often seen playing a game of football during their warm up sessions. However, it is unusual to see an active cricketer taking part in football tournaments. Football being a body-contact sport, the risk of players sustaining an becomes much higher.
Although Sanju Samson’s stint with football is nothing new. Earlier this year, Indian Super League side Kerala Blasters announced local boy Sanju Samson as the brand ambassador of the club.
In 2021, Sanju also grabbed the limelights for helping a budding footballer when he sponsored the flight ticket of the player named Adarsh who got shortlisted for a one-month training stint with Spanish fifth division outfit CD La Virgen del Camino.