Sanju Samson, the star of India’s T20 World Cup, stated on Monday that he is eager to learn a few things from the renowned “Captain Cool” MS Dhoni when he teams up with the former India captain at Chennai Super Kings in the next Indian Premier League season.
The India wicketkeeper-batter, who played most of his IPL career with the Rajasthan Royals, will wear the CSK jersey when the two sides play in their opening match in Guwahati on March 30.
“I have spoken to Mahi bhai (Dhoni) over the phone and interacted with him, but playing with him as part of a team will be great. I see it as an opportunity to learn from him,” PTI quoted Samson telling reporters.
Samson stated that being in the opposition camp will offer a different set of feelings, even if it would technically be a home game for the Rajasthan Royals, the 2008 IPL champions. However, the 31-year-old vowed he would not let sentiment dictate his approach on the field.
“(I am) looking forward to playing for CSK, I feel grateful for the love and attention I have been getting from fans. This is the first time I will play against Rajasthan Royals, but I don’t let emotions rule me on the field. I left Rajasthan Royals because I felt my time in the team was over. Even if we come up against them now, I will play my best cricket,” Samson added.
Samson described the thrill of winning the championship as a “spiritual moment,” although he said he took some time to reflect following an unremarkable run before the T20 World Cup.
“I wasn’t very confident when I left home to play in the World Cup, but the universe had other plans; I played well and the reception has been great. It was a private, spiritual moment. When I go out on the field, I carry the dreams of thousands with me; they want to see me perform well to know that a small-town boy can play on the biggest stage in cricket,” said Samson, who was adjudged the Player of the Tournament in the T20 World Cup.
Samson led India to their third T20 World Cup victory with runs of 89, 97 not out, and 89 in the final three games. He described the undefeated 97 against the West Indies in the Super Eights virtual knockout match as the “most important” of those three knocks.
“After the New Zealand series, I did a lot of introspection and rebuilt my mindset; I realised that I had the talent. (The knock of) 97 against West Indies was the most important knock in my opinion as I had to keep my cool even as wickets fell on the other end,” Samson said.
The keeper-batter claimed that a congratulatory hug from India head coach Gautam Gambhir following the title victory was almost as memorable as receiving a message from the legendary Sachin Tendulkar, which was “one of the greatest moments” for Samson during the competition.
“Gauti bhai and I share a very close relationship that goes long back; he didn’t say much, he just hugged me for a long 30 seconds, that’s how we communicated,” said Samson.
