Shashi Tharoor recalled how he met 14-year-old Sanju Samson and predicted that one day he would be the next MS Dhoni. Tharoor also said that Indian coach Gautam Gambhir corrected him when he remembered the remark and said that he will be the one and only Samson.
Samson completed an incredible turnaround during the T20 World Cup where he came into India’s lineup during the knockout matches and hit three consecutive fifties. The wicketkeeper finished with 321 runs from five matches and was named player of the tournament. Speaking to ANI, Tharoor said he was Samson’s uncle and feels Gambhir’s prophecy has come true after Samson helped India secure the 2026 T20 World Cup crown.
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“I think in some ways I was kind of an uncle to him because I met him when he was 14. I encouraged him a lot. I might not be the most qualified cricket fan to do that, but when he was 14, I told him he was going to be the next MS Dhoni. And when I think back on those words years later, my friend Gautam Gambir said he wouldn’t be the first to be. the one and only Sanju Samson, and that’s how it turned out,” Tharoor said.
While Tharoor was in awe of Samson’s batting during the T20 World Cup, he also said that the wicketkeeper should get a chance to return to the ODI setup as well.
“He was someone who seemed relentlessly focused, calm and poised, at the top of his game. Nothing could faze him. There was poetry in motion, I tell you, it was a joy to watch him burn. And from there I want to see him return to the ODI fold as well. After all, don’t forget that his last innings in ODI cricket was the century they gave him and Tharo let him in again.”
SAMSON-DHONI CONNECTION AT CSK
Samson is all set to share the dressing room with Dhoni for the first time in the IPL as he joined CSK’s training camp ahead of the start of the IPL 2026 season. The wicketkeeper arrived at the camp on Thursday, March 19 and was spotted chatting cheerfully with the Indian legend, which fired up the fans.
Before the new season, Samson said it was an exciting prospect for him to team up with Dhoniwhich marked him as a positive influence on his career.
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Published on:
March 20, 2026 11:39 AM IST
