"You cannot even think about Mahi bhai"- Sanju Samson says it is tough to plan for MS Dhoni
Rajasthan Royals (RR) skipper Sanju Samson was recently asked to name a batter against whom he finds it difficult to strategize. He picked former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain MS Dhoni as the most challenging opponent in terms of planning.
Samson mentioned that the RR team management usually makes a plan for every player in the opposition team's batting order. However, he added that the think tank gives up when Dhoni's name comes and moves to the next player.
Speaking on journalist Vimal Kumar's YouTube channel, Samson said:
"You cannot even think about Mahi bhai. We plan for everyone in the batting order but when Mahi bhai comes, we say it's okay, let's look at the next one. We cannot plan for him."
Sanju Samson was last seen in action in international cricket during India's recently concluded three-match home T20I series against Bangladesh. The right-handed batter stole the show with his blitzkrieg in the third fixture, notching up his maiden T20I century.
The 29-year-old scored 111 runs off just 47 balls, helping the Men in Blue register 297/6 in 20 overs. India secured a comprehensive 133-run victory in the clash to complete a 3-0 whitewash over the visitors.
"Aankh bandh karke aaj kal khel raha" - Sanju Samson on Hardik Pandya's no-look shot in the T20I series opener against Bangladesh
In the aforementioned video, Sanju Samson was also asked to name a batter who is very good with the upper cut. Choosing Hardik Pandya, he pointed out how the all-rounder has even started playing the shot with his eyes closed.
For the unversed, Samson was referring to Hardik's no-look shot off Taskin Ahmed's bowling in the T20I series opener between India and Bangladesh in Gwalior. He said:
"Hardik plays the upper cut very well. Aankh bandh karke aaj kal khel raha (He is playing it with closed eyes these days). (On if he asked him about the shot) Kya tha bhai, aise kaun khelta hai yaar (What was that brother, who plays like this)."
Samson featured in Kerala's playing XI for their recently concluded Ranji Trophy 2024 match against Karnataka. He remained unbeaten on 15 as Kerala finished at 161/3. The contest was halted after that due to rain and the game ultimately ended in a draw.