Thiruvananthapuram, March 16 India's T20 World Cup-winning hero Sanju Samson said on Monday that he is eager to learn from the legendary "Captain Cool" MS Dhoni when he joins the Chennai Super Kings in the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League.
Having spent most of his IPL career with the Rajasthan Royals, the India wicketkeeper-batter will play for CSK in their tournament opener against the Royals in Guwahati on March 30.
"I have spoken to Mahi bhai (Dhoni) and interacted with him, but playing with him as part of a team will be great. I see it as an opportunity to learn from him," Samson told reporters.
While it would technically be a home game for Rajasthan Royals, the 2008 IPL champions, Samson said that being in the opposition camp would bring a different set of emotions, though the 31-year-old insisted that he would not let sentiment dictate his approach on the field.
"(I am) looking forward to playing for CSK, and I feel grateful for the love and attention I have been receiving from fans," he said.
"This is the first time I will play against Rajasthan Royals, but I don't let emotions rule me on the field. I left Rajasthan Royals because I felt my time in the team was over. Even if we come up against them now, I will play my best cricket," Samson added.
Samson said he spent time introspecting after an ordinary run before the T20 World Cup but termed the experience of winning the trophy as a "spiritual moment".
"I wasn't very confident when I left home to play in the World Cup, but the universe had other plans; I played well, and the reception has been great," said Samson, who was adjudged the Player of the Tournament in the World Cup.
"It was a private, spiritual moment."
"When I go out on the field, I carry the dreams of thousands with me; they want to see me perform well to know that a small-town boy can play on the biggest stage in cricket," said Samson.
Samson scored 89, 97 not out, and 89 in the last three matches to power India to their third T20 World Cup title. Among those three innings, he termed the unbeaten 97 against the West Indies in the virtual knockout game in the Super Eights as the "most important".
"After the New Zealand series, I did a lot of introspection and rebuilt my mindset; I realised that I had the talent. (The innings of) 97 against West Indies was the most important innings in my opinion, as I had to keep my cool even as wickets fell on the other end," Samson said.
While receiving a message from the legendary Sachin Tendulkar was "one of the greatest moments" for Samson during the tournament, the keeper-batter said a congratulatory hug from India head coach Gautam Gambhir after the title triumph was equally special.
"Gauti bhai and I share a very close relationship that goes long back; he didn't say much, he just hugged me for a long 30 seconds; that's how we communicated," said Samson, adding that he takes the responsibility of representing all Malayalis seriously.
