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The narrative of Sanju Samson’s profession has usually been certainly one of ‘what ifs’ and ‘may have beens.’ Nevertheless, because the mud settles on India’s triumphant 2026 T20 World Cup marketing campaign, that narrative has shifted towards a definitive ‘lastly.’ Amongst these celebrating loudest is Shashi Tharoor, Member of Parliament and a long-time mentor determine to the Kerala wicketkeeper, who not too long ago mirrored on a prophecy remodeled a decade in the past.
Shashi Tharoor remembers recognizing 14-year-old Sanju Samson as Gautam Gambhir’s prophecy beneficial properties consideration
Tharoor’s reference to Samson dates again to when the cricketer was only a 14-year-old prodigy. Even then, the expertise was plain. Tharoor recalled telling {the teenager} that he was destined to be the subsequent MS Dhoni. It was a heavy mantle to position on younger shoulders, however it spoke to the sheer calibre of Samson’s pure capacity.
Nevertheless, it was a dialog with present Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir that offered the required perspective. As Tharoor reminisced about his early prediction, Gambhir identified for his blunt and individualistic strategy supplied a correction that has now turn into legendary. Gambhir insisted that Samson didn’t must be the subsequent anybody; he was destined to be the primary and solely ‘Sanju Samson’.
“I’ve been a type of uncle to him, I believe, in some methods, as a result of I met him when he was 14. I gave him plenty of encouragement. I will not be probably the most certified cricket fan to take action, however I advised him when he was 14 that he was going to be the subsequent MS Dhoni. And after I recall these phrases some years later, my pal Gautam Gambir mentioned he doesn’t should be the subsequent anyone, he’s going to be the primary one and solely Sanju Samson, and that’s the way it has turned out to be,” Tharoor said to ANI.
This prophecy reached its zenith throughout the 2026 T20 World Cup. Coming into the facet throughout the high-pressure knockout phases, Samson displayed a stage of maturity that had beforehand eluded him on the worldwide stage. With 321 runs throughout 5 matches, together with three consecutive half-centuries, he wasn’t only a participant; he was the engine room of the Indian batting lineup. Being named Participant of the Match wasn’t simply an accolade, it was the validation of Gambhir’s perception that Samson’s id was distinctive and peerless.
Additionally READ: Former batter picks the best top-order of Chennai Tremendous Kings (CSK) for IPL 2026
Samson’s new chapter: The CSK connection and ODI aspirations
Whereas the T20 glory remains to be recent, the cricketing world is already buzzing about Samson’s subsequent transfer. On March 19, 2026, Samson arrived on the Chennai Tremendous Kings (CSK) coaching camp, marking the primary time he’ll share an IPL dressing room with Dhoni. The sight of the 2 wicketkeepers in deep dialog despatched social media right into a frenzy, symbolizing a passing of the torch second, whilst Samson continues to carve his personal path.
Tharoor, ever the advocate for his ‘nephew,’ believes this momentum ought to carry Samson again into the 50-over format. He identified the irony of Samson’s ODI hiatus, noting that his final look within the format featured an excellent century earlier than he was sidelined.
” This was any individual who appeared relentlessly centered, calm and composed, on high of his sport. Nothing was allowed to disturb him. There was poetry in movement, I let you know, it was a pleasure watching him bat. And from right here I need to see him getting again into the ODI squad as properly. In spite of everything, don’t overlook that his final innings in ODI cricket was a century, and so they dropped him after that. So, let’s give him an opportunity once more,,” Tharoor added concerning Samson’s current kind, urging selectors to indicate the identical religion within the ODI setup that reaped such huge rewards within the T20 World Cup.
Because the IPL 2026 season kicks off, Samson is not chasing shadows or comparisons. Underneath the steering of Gambhir within the nationwide colors and now alongside Dhoni within the yellow of CSK, the person from Kerala has lastly arrived, not as a successor, however as a singular drive in world cricket.
Additionally READ: MS Dhoni omitted! Irfan Pathan picks his very best Chennai Tremendous Kings lineup for IPL 2026
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