‘Have to beat CSK at least once’ – WATCH: Sanju Samson speaks glowingly about MS Dhoni ahead of IPL 2025 season

Rajasthan Royals skipper Sanju Samson spoke to Star Sports ahead of the IPL 2025 season. The 30-year-old who is out with an injury is getting ready to be fit in time for the Royals’ season opener. During the course of the chat with Star Sports, the wicketkeeper and batter spoke glowingly about former India and CSK skipper MS Dhoni. 

The host asked Samson to give his views on MS Dhoni after the duo were spotted together in an event. Both Samson and Dhoni have shot for a pre-tournament advertisement. Samson was asked to give his views about spending time with the iconic wicketkeeper and batter. 

Watch the video here:

Find out why Sanju Samson wanted to Defeat CSK so badly just to approach MS Dhoni and what that moment meant for him.

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30-year-old Samson replied, “As every young Indian cricketer I just wanted to be around MS Dhoni. Every single time you know you are going to play with CSK. Yaar Mahi bhai ke saath baithkar baat karna (you have to sit and chat with Mahi bhai). Ask him how he goes about his business or just sit around him. So that was a dream actually as a young cricketer.”

Sanju Samson reveals motivation behind beating CSK in IPL 

During the course of his chat on Star Sports, RR skipper Sanju Samson revealed that the motivation to meet MS Dhoni got him inspired to beat CSK. Interestingly, Royals had beaten Chennai in the finals of the first edition of IPL to win the title. Shane Warne had led the side to an historic title triumph at the DY Patil Stadium in Nerul. 

Samson said, “When I came to play the IPL, after the game I used to think that there was a chance to meet Dhoni. He was always surrounded by people waiting to meet him on each side. Then I felt that meeting him right now wasn’t a great idea, as I didn’t want to feel as one in the crowd.” 

In the chat, Samson revealed that it took him eight seasons in the league before meeting the former CSK skipper. "Honestly, I met Mahi Bhai (Dhoni) after the eighth year of my IPL. I waited and the feeling was that we have to beat CSK once and then only could I go meet Mahi Bhai and have a word with him. We played CSK in Sharjah and finally after so many years scored some runs and was the man of the match. After that I went and met Mahi Bhai, after that the relation has been upwards," he said.