Sanju Samson Realizes Dream of Playing Alongside MS Dhoni at CSK

Samson's Dream Comes True with CSK

Sanju Samson, the wicketkeeper-batter for Chennai Super Kings (CSK), has achieved his long-held aspiration of sharing the dressing room with the legendary MS Dhoni, a five-time IPL champion. Samson made the switch to CSK from his previous team, the Rajasthan Royals, through a trade ahead of the IPL 2026 mini-auction last year.

Dhoni: The Heart of CSK

MS Dhoni, a key figure in CSK's history, has been instrumental in establishing the franchise as the most successful team in IPL history, both in terms of titles and matches won under his captaincy over nearly two decades. His leadership has fostered a winning mentality that continues to motivate his teammates.

A Long-Awaited Opportunity

Having never played under Dhoni's captaincy at the international level, Samson is now excited to learn directly from the cricketing icon while donning the yellow jersey.

Samson's Childhood Memories of Dhoni

Reflecting on his childhood admiration for Dhoni, Samson shared a nostalgic story during a CSK Podcast. He recounted the first time he saw a 'long-haired' Dhoni on television, which left a lasting impression on him.

Samson reminisced about cutting out Dhoni's face from Boost bottle stickers and pasting them in his school diary, showcasing the profound influence the cricketer had on him from a young age.

He recalled, "I was in 4th or 5th grade, very young then. I remember seeing this guy with long hair coming out to bat for India. He would get out in a few games and then suddenly score a hundred against Pakistan. He scored 183, and then he kept making big runs. From that moment, I became a huge fan of his."

Samson added, "He was everywhere - posters, media, advertisements. He featured in Boost ads. At home, we drank Boost, and there was a sticker on the bottle. I remember cutting Mahi bhai's face out from that sticker and sticking it on my diary."

Samson's Role in CSK

In his inaugural season with CSK, Sanju Samson has become a pivotal player. With MS Dhoni potentially nearing the end of his illustrious IPL career, Samson is seen as a likely successor behind the stumps and a future leader for the team.

Gratitude for the Opportunity

Samson's transition to CSK was one of the most discussed trades before IPL 2026, marking the end of his long-standing association with Rajasthan Royals, where he began his IPL journey and captained the team for five consecutive seasons.

Expressing his gratitude, Samson described being part of CSK as a dream come true, where he has the chance to learn from MS Dhoni and cherishes every moment spent with him.

"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," the 31-year-old shared.

"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," he added.

Samson's Performance in IPL 2026

As of IPL 2026, Sanju Samson is the leading run-scorer for Chennai Super Kings, amassing 402 runs, which includes two centuries and one fifty, with an impressive average of 57.42 and a strike rate of 167.50 across 10 matches.