Samson calls Dhoni "Roger Federer of Cricket", compares Kohli to Alcaraz
New Delhi, June 22
India's star wicketkeeper/batter Sanju Samson compared cricket legends to tennis stars, describing former Indian skipper MS Dhoni as the "Roger Federer of cricket" for his calm, composed demeanour and effortless yet impactful performances.
He also likened Carlos Alcaraz to Virat Kohli, highlighting their aggressive approach, intensity and explosive style of play.
"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," Samson said on JioStar.
Samson described India's ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 triumph as a landmark moment that inspired the entire cricketing fraternity. He said the victory reflected years of hard work and determination, while also instilling belief among the men's team that they could emulate the achievement.
Samson also felt that women's success raised expectations and played a role in motivating Indian cricketers to aim for World Cup glory on home soil.
"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 in 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," he added.
Samson amassed 321 runs in five innings in the tournament at an average of 80.25 and a strike rate of 199.37, hitting 27 fours and 24 sixes and ended as the third-highest run-getter in the T20 WC.
He also surpassed Virat Kohli's total of 319 runs in the 2014 T20 World Cup edition to have the most runs by an Indian during a single T20 World Cup edition.
The victory made India the first team to win the T20 World Cup on home soil, the first to win consecutive titles after their 2024 win, and the first to lift the trophy three times (2007, 2024, and 2026).
— ANI
Reader Comments
Honestly, I think this is a stretch. Cricket and tennis are completely different sports. Federer's elegance is unmatched, but Dhoni's impact is measured in titles. And Virat's aggression is more like Novak's mental toughness. But hey, Samson is entitled to his opinion. The women's team victory they mentioned was truly something special though! 👏
Samson has really matured as a player. Remember when he was just a flashy youngster? Now he's breaking Kohli's records and giving such thoughtful responses. The comparison with Alcaraz makes sense - both are explosive, aggressive, and still have room to grow. Hope he keeps performing like this! 🔥🏏
People forget that Federer was also extremely aggressive in his prime. Dhoni's calmness is his signature, but Kohli's fire also has its place. Both approaches work. What I'm most happy about is Samson acknowledging the women's team victory - that was truly historic and deserved more recognition. This is a good interview overall.
As someone who follows both sports, this comparison actually works well. Dhoni's subtle brilliance mirrors Federer's genius - both make the difficult look easy. And Kohli's intimidating presence on the field? Definitely Alcaraz-like. Interesting that Samson mentioned Carlos - shows the younger Indian players are aware of global sports trends. Good to see! 🏏🎾
While I appreciate Samson's creativity, I have to respectfully disagree. Comparing any cricketer to Federer is a tall order. But I get why he said it - Dhoni's comp
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.