Next Dhoni: Shashi Tharoor brings out old Sanju Samson tweet after T20I heroics

Shashi Tharoor decided to bring out his 15-year-old tweet about Sanju Samson, where he had dubbed the Kerala star as the next MS Dhoni. Samson continued his golden run in T20Is with another hundred on November 15.

In Short

• Samson scored 109 off 56 deliveries in 4th T20I
• Tharoor felt overjoyed that his prophecy had come true
• Samson has scored 3 hundreds in his last 5 T20Is

Shashi Tharoor has reminded every one of his old tweet about Sanju Samson where he had dubbed the Kerala wicketkeeper as the next MS Dhoni. Samson continued his fine run of form in T20Is with another hundred in the final match of the series against South Africa at the Wanderers in Johannesburg on November 15, Friday.

This was Samson's 3rd T20I hundred in 5 matches as the batter continued to flourish in his new role as an opener for India in the format. The wicketkeeper-batter, along with Tilak Varma, piled on 210 runs in their partnership as India posted 283 runs in the first innings. The hosts would crumble in their chase as India won the match by 135 runs to win the series 3-1.

Tharoor, who has been a staunch supporter of Samson, decided to bring out an old tweet where he had seen the then 15-year-old wicketkeeper as one of the stars for the future.

"Look out for at least 2 Tvm guys in Kerala Ranji squad, Rohan Prem and 15-yr-old Sanju Samson (the next Dhoni)," tweeted Tharoor.

Tharoor would quote his old tweet by saying that it feels wonderful to be able to say 'I told you so' 15 years later.

"Always wonderful to be able to say “I told you so” fifteen years later!" tweeted Tharoor.

Sanju Samson impressive run in 2024

Despite having been in and around the Indian team, Samson always seemed like struggling to nail his spot down in the playing XI. Ahead of the Bangladesh series, the Kerala star was given the role to open the batting for India in the T20I format alongside Abhishek Sharma.

Samson started his golden run with a hundred against Bangladesh in the 3rd T20I in Hyderabad. He would then carry his form into the South Africa series with a hundred in the first match as he seemingly made the opener's spot his own.

While Samson was out for ducks in the next 2 matches, he would come back into form with 109 off 56 deliveries and ended the series as the second-highest run-getter behind Tilak.