Sanju Samson’s opening campaign with Chennai Super Kings has already brought big numbers to the franchise. Now, the 31-year-old has added something more personal to his CSK story—an insight into the admiration that has been with him since childhood. The wicketkeeper-batter, who has emerged as one of CSK’s key batting contributors in IPL 2026, spoke about his long-standing fandom for MS Dhoni and described the experience of sharing a dressing room with the former India captain as “more than a dream.” Samson shared these reflections on the Super Kings Podcast, tracing his cricket idol from his earliest days as a young fan to the present, where he now trains and plays alongside the man who inspired him.
Samson’s earliest Dhoni memories
In his conversation, Samson said his first real recollection of Dhoni dates back to the period when the India legend was just beginning to break into the national team. He painted a picture of those early appearances—Dhoni arriving to bat with long hair, building a reputation that seemed to grow almost instantly.
- Samson recalled being in “4th or 5th standard,” describing himself as very young and small at the time.
- He said he remembers seeing Dhoni walk out to bat for India, with long hair, during those early international outings.
- Samson explained that Dhoni’s story felt like it “changed rapidly,” especially after his impact in major matches.
- He pointed to Dhoni’s 148 against Pakistan in Visakhapatnam in 2005 as a turning point.
- He also highlighted Dhoni’s unbeaten 183 versus Sri Lanka in Jaipur later in 2005.
- Samson said that once Dhoni began producing big scores consistently, his own admiration transformed into lifelong fandom.
Samson’s message was simple: Dhoni’s early international burst—followed by continued large contributions—made him a devoted fan from that moment. “I was in 4th or 5th standard…very small then. I remember seeing this guy with long hair walking out to bat for India,” Samson said, adding that Dhoni would sometimes get out early and then suddenly deliver a hundred. He went on to describe how Dhoni scored 183 and kept putting up major totals afterward, which is when Samson became “a huge fan.”
The sticker-and-diary childhood throwback
Samson also spoke about how Dhoni’s popularity seemed to spread everywhere, turning the cricketer into a household presence. He remembered the way Dhoni appeared across posters and media, even showing up in advertising—particularly in a childhood connection involving the Boost brand.
According to Samson’s recollection, the admiration was not only watched from afar; it was turned into something tangible at home.
- Samson said Dhoni became “everywhere,” appearing on posters, in the media, and across advertisements.
- He recalled Dhoni featuring in Boost commercials.
- At home, Samson said his family would drink Boost, and the bottle carried a sticker.
- He described how he cut out Dhoni’s face from the sticker and stuck it onto his diary as a child.
Samson summed up the memory by saying that once Dhoni’s profile grew, the iconography followed—posters and ads, including those Boost appearances—and that he kept the image close long before he ever imagined meeting Dhoni in professional cricket.
Full-circle at CSK: talking, advice, and shared time
Samson’s comments come during his first season with Chennai, where he has quickly established himself as one of the most important batting figures for the side. The move to Chennai has placed him in the same dressing room as Dhoni, the player he says he grew up idolising and has repeatedly spoken about with genuine respect.
Samson described the experience as going beyond what he imagined as a kid. He said he regularly speaks with Dhoni, spends time with him, and actively seeks his guidance—whether it is advice on cricket matters or simply learning from the presence and experience of a former India captain.
“From that moment to where I am now, what more can I say?” Samson said. He added that he sits with Dhoni, talks with him, plays games with him, and even goes to Dhoni’s room to ask whatever he wants. Samson also noted that Dhoni advises him as well, calling the whole situation “a dream,” and then insisting it is actually “more than a dream.” He concluded by saying any kid would dream of such a moment, and that he feels fortunate to be living it.
Why the Dhoni link matters to Samson’s CSK season
For CSK, Samson’s form has been crucial in IPL 2026. For Samson, the season carries an added sense of completion—because the boy who once pasted Dhoni’s face onto a diary is now sharing meetings, conversations, and informal time with the same mentor figure inside one of Indian cricket’s most celebrated franchises.
The Dhoni connection gives Samson’s campaign a wider emotional pull, blending performance with a personal journey. Now, Samson is not just playing for CSK; he is working daily in the exact environment that once shaped his imagination when he was younger, turning childhood admiration into real, shared cricket life.
