Shashi Tharoor Recalls Meeting with 14y old Sanju Samson

By Aditya Nagar | March 20, 2026

Shashi Tharoor, MP from Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, recalled meeting Indian cricketer Sanju Samson when he was 14.

Sanju Samson Would Become the Next MS Dhoni: Tharoor’s Early Prediction

The Indian politician predicted that he would one day become the next MS Dhoni. However, Indian coach Gautam Gambhir corrected him, saying that he would be the one and only Samson.

Samson made a spectacular turnaround during the T20 World Cup, where he entered the Indian lineup in the knockout games and scored three successive fifties.

Also a good wicketkeeper, he scored 321 runs in five matches and was named Player of the Tournament.

Sanju Samson Latest News: Tharoor Recalls Moment With Samson

Recalling the moment of meeting with Samson, Shashi Tharoor told the media that at that time he was uncle to the young cricketer and feels proud that Gambhir’s anticipation of him at that time turned into a true reality, when he helped India win the T20 World Cup 2026 trophy.

Tharoor's words on reminding his meeting with the right-handed batter and wicketkeeper were

"I've been a sort of uncle to him, I think, in some ways, because I met him when he was 14. I gave him a lot of encouragement. I may not be the most qualified cricket fan to do so, but I told him when he was 14 that he would be the next MS Dhoni.

And when I recall those words some years later, my friend Gautam Gambhir said he doesn't have to be the next anybody, he's going to be the first one and only Sanju Samson, and that's how it has turned out to be."

While getting highly impressed with Samson’s batting style in the T20 World Cup, Tharoor stated that the wicketkeeper must also be allowed to play again for the ODI setup as well.

Further praising Sanju Samson, Tharoor also said that he was completely focused and remained calm and composed in his game.

There was nothing that could move his attention away. He expressed joy in watching him play so well with his bat.

From here, he wished to see him in the ODI squad as well. After all, his last innings in ODI cricket was a century, and he was dropped after that. But now, he must get another chance.

Samson-Dhoni CSK Connection

According to Sanju Samson news, the first time Sanju Samson shared a dressing room with MS Dhoni was during the IPL (Indian Premier League), when he had just joined the CSK training camp before the start of the IPL 2026 season.

The wicketkeeper Samson reached the camp on Thursday, March 19, and was seen sharing a light-hearted moment with the legendary Indian cricketer, sparking a buzz among fans.

Before the new season started, Sanju expressed his excitement about working with Dhoni, as he saw him as a positive influence on his sports career.

Sanju Samson's Family

Sanju Samson, the Indian batter and wicketkeeper, was born on November 11, 1994.
His father, Samson Viswanath, was a former Delhi Police constable, and his mother, Ligy Viswanath, is a homemaker.
Both of them had always been supportive of his love for cricket.
Sanju also has a brother named Saly Samson, who had played cricket at the junior level.
Samson is married to Charulatha Samson. Both tied the knot in 2018.

Sanju Samson Net Worth

The net worth of Sanju Samson is approximately between Rs 85 crore and Rs 100 crore.
His wealth is generated from IPL contracts, brand endorsements including Puma, Gillette, Hael, and BharatPe, and central contracts with the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India).
His garage is filled with a luxurious collection of cars, including a Range Rover Sport, an Audi A6, a Mercedes-Benz C-Class, and a Lexus ES.
Samson owns a lavish ₹ 6 crore bungalow in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. Besides that, he also has real estate investments in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Mumbai.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about this topic

He shared a memory of meeting Sanju Samson when he was just 14 years old.

They met in Kerala during Samson’s early cricket days.

Tharoor noticed Samson’s talent at a young age.

He hinted that Samson had the potential to become a big player.

It shows how early Samson’s talent was recognised.