Sanju Samson of India (ANI Photo) Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson has opened up about the special reception he got at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, which has now become his home ground in the IPL following his move to Chennai Super Kings. The 29-year-old recently played at the venue during India’s Men’s World T20 match against Zimbabwe and spoke about the strong emotional connection he felt with the Chennai crowd and the responsibility that comes with their support.Samson revealed that the affection was palpable from the moment he landed in the city, pointing out the cultural proximity between Chennai and his native Kerala.“After the trade, this is my first time coming to Chennai. Right from the airport, I feel this special love. We normally come to Kerala and Chennai is very close, we come here often and I feel the energy. Lucky to be part of such great and passionate fans here in Chennai,” Sanju said in a video shared by b.cci.tv on Saturday
Long hits for Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan and Tilak Varma
The right-hander, known for his stylish pull game, admitted that performing in front of such an enthusiastic fan base brings not only happiness but also a deeper sense of duty.“I’m really happy that I could go there and entertain them in this way. I’m happy. More than just happiness, there’s also a bit of extra responsibility. When everyone comes to cheer for you, I think there’s an added responsibility to really entertain them. So yes, I’m very happy. Yes, see you soon,” he said in Tamil.On the field, Samson gave India an early boost against Zimbabwe with a quickfire 24 off 15 balls in the powerplay. He opened the batting, setting the tone with a straight six off Richard Ngarawa and soon followed it up with a pull shot for another maximum off Blessing Muzarabani.He also hit a smooth cut for four and turned the strike smartly to help India race to 46 for no loss in three overs. His cameo ended when he mistimed a slower short from Muzarabani and was caught at deep mid-wicket, ending what looked like a promising innings.
