As Wimbledon 2026 prepares to bring together the biggest names in tennis, Indian wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson has drawn an intriguing parallel between
two sporting worlds, comparing MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli to some of tennis' greatest stars.
Speaking on JioStar ahead of the grass-court Grand Slam, Samson was asked to identify cricketing equivalents of tennis legends and his answers reflected two very different styles of greatness.
According to Samson, former India captain MS Dhoni embodies many of the qualities that made Roger Federer one of the most admired athletes in sporting history.
Why Samson sees MS Dhoni as cricket's Roger Federer
"The Roger Federer of cricket? It has to be MS Dhoni," Samson said on JioStar.
For Samson, the comparison extends beyond trophies and achievements. It is rooted in the way both athletes performed under pressure.
"He is very calm and composed in the way he goes about his business. When he performs, it looks effortless yet very powerful. "
The similarities are easy to see. Federer built his reputation on elegance, composure and an ability to make the extraordinary appear routine. Dhoni's captaincy and finishing ability often carried the same aura, whether it was guiding India to the 2011 World Cup title or producing trademark finishes in pressure situations.
Both men also cultivated an image of calmness that became central to their sporting identities. While others relied on emotion and intensity, Federer and Dhoni often appeared unfazed regardless of the occasion.
Virat Kohli compared to Carlos Alcaraz's explosive style
If Dhoni represents Federer, Samson believes Virat Kohli shares similarities with Carlos Alcaraz, the young Spanish superstar widely viewed as one of tennis' brightest talents.
"Carlos Alcaraz, on the other hand, is very explosive, much like how Virat Bhai started. Maybe Virat Kohli can be compared to Alcaraz. He is very aggressive and full of power and explosiveness. "
Unlike Federer's effortless elegance, Alcaraz's game is built on intensity, athleticism and relentless energy - traits that have defined Kohli throughout his international career.
From his early days as a fiery young batter to becoming one of cricket's most dominant modern players, Kohli's approach has often been driven by aggression, visible emotion and an insatiable desire to compete.
The comparison also reflects a generational shift. Just as Alcaraz represents the future of men's tennis following the Federer-Nadal-Djokovic era, Kohli emerged as one of cricket's defining figures after the Dhoni generation.
Bopanna backs Sinner and Rybakina for Wimbledon glory
Former India tennis star Rohan Bopanna also shared his predictions for Wimbledon 2026 during the discussion.
"It's such a tough question; the field is so open. But I have to go with defending champion Jannik Sinner for the men's tournament. Among women, I would pick Elena Rybakina. "
Bopanna also reflected on what Wimbledon meant to him growing up, describing the tournament as a lifelong dream.
"Wimbledon is a magical dream because I grew up watching only that. Back home, we only used to watch Wimbledon. In fact, television only broadcast Wimbledon. "
The veteran doubles specialist added that competing during the era of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic made the experience even more special.
Sanju Samson reflects on India's Women's World Cup triumph
The Rajasthan Royals captain also spoke about India's historic ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 victory, describing it as a moment that inspired the entire cricketing community.
"We were all watching the final. My family members and everyone else were glued to the TV. "
Samson said the triumph raised expectations across Indian cricket and proved that Indian teams could consistently challenge for global titles.
"It was a proud moment for all of us. I think the standards were set very high for us. "
With Wimbledon around the corner, Samson's Federer-Dhoni and Alcaraz-Kohli comparisons have already sparked debate among fans, offering a unique lens through which to compare greatness across two very different sports.
