Sanju Samson has opened up about the emotional journey of sharing a dressing room with his childhood idol MS Dhoni at Chennai Super Kings (CSK), calling the experience “more than a dream” during a recent appearance on the Super Kings podcast. The Rajasthan-born wicketkeeper-batter revealed that his admiration for Dhoni began when he was still a young schoolboy watching the former India captain dominate world cricket with his fearless batting and iconic long hair. Samson recalled being instantly captivated by Dhoni’s style and attitude after witnessing his breakthrough performances for India.

“I was in 4th or 5th standard when I first saw him bat for India,” Sanju Samson said. “I remember this guy with long hair coming out to bat and playing without fear. He would fail in a few games and then suddenly smash a hundred against Pakistan. After that 183-run knock, he just kept scoring everywhere. That’s when I became a massive fan.”

Dhoni’s stunning 183* against Sri Lanka in 2005 remains one of the most iconic ODI innings in Indian cricket history, and Samson admitted that the former India skipper quickly became a constant presence in his childhood life.

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“He was everywhere at that time — in advertisements, posters, TV commercials. I remember the Boost bottles at home had Dhoni stickers on them. I actually cut out Mahi bhai’s face from one of those stickers and pasted it into my diary,” Sanju Samson recalled with a smile.

Years later, Samson now finds himself not only playing alongside Dhoni at CSK but also learning directly from one of cricket’s greatest leaders. The Kerala batter said the bond he now shares with Dhoni still feels surreal.

“Now I sit with him, talk to him, play games with him, and even go to his room whenever I want advice. He guides me a lot. Honestly, it feels bigger than a dream because every kid who watches cricket wants moments like this,” Sanju Samson added.

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Samson has been in outstanding form in IPL 2026, scoring consistently for CSK while also growing into a leadership role within the squad. His close association with Dhoni has further strengthened his growth as both a batter and a leader in the Chennai setup.