India’s wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson has never hidden his admiration for MS Dhoni. Every time Rajasthan Royals faced off against Chennai Super Kings in the IPL, he always found himself wanting to spend time with the legendary former India captain, eager to learn from him and absorb his wisdom.
Sanju Samson, who made his international debut a decade ago, started getting consistent opportunities for India only after Dhoni’s retirement. However, his personal connection with Dhoni strengthened significantly after a memorable performance in Sharjah five years ago.
The match in which Sanju Samson played a crucial knock of around 70-80 runs and won the Player of the Match award became a turning point in their bond. Recalling that moment, Sanju Samson shared how meeting MS Dhoni after that game felt like a dream come true and marked the beginning of a deeper relationship between them.
Even today, Samson cherishes every opportunity to interact with Dhoni. He described how surreal it feels to have transitioned from idolising the former captain to now sharing moments with him at events and shoots. For him, it’s a dream that continues to unfold with every encounter.
Meanwhile, Dhoni, who remains an iconic figure in cricket, is set to play another IPL season for Chennai Super Kings, this time under the leadership of new skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad. His influence on young cricketers continues to be immense, with players like Samson still looking up to him for guidance and inspiration.
As the IPL 2025 season approaches, Rajasthan Royals have made significant moves at the mega-auction, securing Jofra Archer for a staggering Rs 12.5 crore and acquiring Tushar Deshpande for Rs 6.5 crore. The team had earlier retained key players, including Samson himself, along with Yashasvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Shimron Hetmyer and Sandeep Sharma. With a strong squad in place, Rajasthan is gearing up for yet another thrilling IPL campaign.
