Dhoni has to be the Federer of cricket, Kohli can be compared to Alcaraz: Sanju Samson
New Delhi, June 22
India wicketkeeper‑batter Sanju Samson has likened MS Dhoni's calm and effortless style of functioning to tennis legend Roger Federer, while adding that Virat Kohli's style is comparable to current star Carlos Alcaraz.
Samson's comments come ahead of this year's Wimbledon, set to take place from June 29 to July 12 at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. "The Roger Federer of cricket? It has to be MS Dhoni. He is very calm and composed in the way he goes about his business. When he performs, it looks effortless yet very powerful.
"Carlos Alcaraz, on the other hand, is very explosive, much like how Virat Bhai started. Maybe Virat Kohli can be compared to Alcaraz. He is very aggressive and full of power and explosiveness," said Samson on JioStar.
Samson also revealed that the Indian women's cricket team's historic 2025 ODI World Cup triumph under Harmanpreet Kaur served as a 'huge motivation' for the men's team ahead of their own victorious 2026 Men's T20 World Cup campaign.
The wicketkeeper-batter played a pivotal role in India clinching the 2026 Men's T20 World Cup on home soil by smashing three consecutive half-centuries to walk away with the prestigious Player of the Tournament award.
"We were all watching the final. My family members and everyone else were glued to the TV. It was a special moment for all of us in the country. We had been waiting for it for a long time. We knew we were capable of winning the World Cup, yet while we were so close, we were very far.
"I was very happy for all the players on the team. There was so much hard work behind it and so many great stories within the squad itself. It was a proud moment for all of us. I think the standards were set very high for us.
"They won the World Cup and put us on a stage where we felt that we could do the same in India. It was a great moment that both World Cups happened in India and that we won them. So, yes, that victory definitely played a part."
Looking ahead to India's clash against six‑time champions Australia in the ongoing ICC Women's T20 World Cup, to be played at Lord's on June 28, Samson said, "A lot of respect goes to the Australian team. I think the reason we hold them in such high regard is that they were the most dominant cricketing nation when we were growing up.
"Every World Cup seemed to be won by Australia. But now, I think the roles have reversed. We are the champions, and we play and compete with the same attitude. So, yes, there is a lot of respect for them as an opponent."
— IANS
Reader Comments
Honestly, I think comparing Kohli to Alcaraz is spot on! Both have that fire - you can see it in their eyes when they play. But let's not forget that Dhoni's legacy is built on those ice-cold finishes under pressure. Just like Federer's late-career comebacks, Dhoni's ability to read the game is unmatched. 🤩
Good analogy by Sanju! But I'd say Dhoni is more like a chess grandmaster - every move calculated, never rushed. Federer comparison works because tennis is so individual, and Dhoni's captaincy was a one-man show in many ways. Kohli's aggression fuels his greatness, but both styles brought us World Cups. #CricketLovers #Dhoni #Kohli
Lovely to see Sanju giving credit to the women's team too! That 2025 ODI World Cup win was indeed a turning point. The way Harmanpreet Kaur led from the front set a benchmark for the men's team. And yes, Dhoni has that Federer-like grace - no unnecessary drama, just pure class. 👏
Respectful disagreement here. While Dhoni is certainly calm, I think Federer's elegance is a bit different - it's more about grace under pressure, whereas Dhoni is about calculated risk. Kohli vs Alcaraz is a good comparison though - both are supremely talented and bring that youthful aggression to the game. Sanju himself was brilliant in the 2026 T20 WC! 🏆
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