‘Always wanted to be around Mahi bhai’: Sanju Samson opens up on bond with MS Dhoni and expectations from Vaibhav Suryavanshi | Cricket News

Sanju Samson with MS Dhoni (Picture Courtesy: Facebook)

NEW DELHI: As the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 approaches, Rajasthan Royals (RR) captain Sanju Samson has shared insights into his cherished bond with former Indian skipper MS Dhoni and expressed his excitement about RR’s young sensation, Vaibhav Suryavanshi.
In a candid conversation on JioHotstar’s ‘SuperStar’ program, Samson spoke about his admiration for Dhoni and how their relationship has evolved over the years. Dhoni, who will be playing in the 2025 IPL season for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) under new captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, continues to be a massive influence on young cricketers.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!
“Like every young Indian cricketer, I always wanted to be around MS Dhoni,” Samson said. “Every time we played against CSK, I wanted to sit and talk to him, ask him how he does things. It was a dream for me.”
Recalling a special moment from a match against CSK in Sharjah, Samson added, “I remember playing a match against CSK in Sharjah, where I finally performed well, scored around 70-80 runs, won the game, and became the Man of the Match. After that, I met Mahi bhai, and since then, our relationship has grown. Even now, I meet him often. Just yesterday, I met him again. It’s truly a blessed feeling–to go from idolising him to now sitting with him for shoots and events. I feel like I’m living my dream.”

Vaibhav Suryavanshi: The new prodigy
While reflecting on his bond with Dhoni, Samson also spoke highly of Vaibhav Suryavanshi, the 13-year-old prodigy who became the youngest signing in IPL history last year. Acquired by RR for Rs 1.1 crore during the mega-auction, Vaibhav has already showcased his talent on the domestic circuit. He made his first-class debut for Bihar at just 12 years old and has impressed with his fearless six-hitting ability.
Speaking on the youngster’s potential, Samson remarked, “For me, rather than giving advice, I prefer observing first–how a youngster wants to play his cricket, what he likes, and what kind of support he needs from me. Then, I work my way around that. Vaibhav looks very confident; he was hitting sixes out of the ground at the academy. People were already talking about his power-hitting. What else can you ask for?”
Suryavanshi, who played for India U19 against Australia last year and smashed a 58-ball century, also impressed in the ACC Under-19 Asia Cup 2024-25, scoring 176 runs in five matches. Samson believes that nurturing his natural talent while maintaining a supportive environment will be crucial for the youngster’s development.
“The key is to keep him in the best shape and provide a relaxed environment, which is something the Rajasthan Royals (RR) is known for,” Samson said. “We ensure a positive atmosphere in the dressing room and back our players. You never know–he might end up playing for India in a couple of years. I feel he is ready for the IPL. He looks capable of landing a few solid punches here and there. Let us see what the future holds.”