Sanju Samson opened up on fulfilling a lifelong dream by sharing the dressing room with Mahendra Singh Dhoni at Chennai Super Kings (CSK), recalling how his admiration for the legendary wicketkeeper-batter began in his childhood.
Speaking on the latest episode of the Super Kings podcast, Samson reflected on the first time he watched Dhoni bat for India and how the former captain quickly became his idol. The Kerala batter said he was still in school when Dhoni burst onto the international scene with his trademark long hair and fearless batting style.
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“I was in 4th or 5th standard, very small then. I remember seeing this guy with long hair walking out to bat for India. He would get out in a couple
of games and then suddenly score a hundred against Pakistan. He scored 183, then he kept scoring big runs after that. From that moment, I became a huge fan of his,” Sanju Samson revealed.
Mahi Fan
MS Dhoni‘s iconic innings against Pakistan and his memorable 183 against Sri Lanka turned him into one of the biggest stars in Indian cricket, and Samson admitted he followed everything connected to the former India skipper.
“He was everywhere after that — posters, media, advertisements. He used to feature in Boost ads. At home, we used to drink Boost and there was a sticker on the bottle. I remember cutting Mahi’s face out from that poster and sticking it on my diary,” Samson recalled.
Years later, that childhood admiration has evolved into a close mentor-student relationship at CSK, something Samson still finds surreal. He revealed that he now regularly spends time with Dhoni, seeking advice and learning from one of the most successful captains in cricket history.
“From that moment to where I am now, what more can I say? I sit with him, talk with him, play games with him, go to his room and ask him anything I want. He advises me as well. It’s been a dream, actually more than a dream. I think any kid would dream about this and I feel very fortunate to be here,” Samson said.
