Sanju Samson. (Photo Source: Seb Daly/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
Sanju Samson, India’s wicketkeeper-batter, recently attended the screening of superstar Rajnikath’s movie ‘Jailer’ in Dublin, Ireland as Guest of Honour. Samson is currently in Ireland with team India, taking part in the three-match T20I series.
Everyone found out about the news during the second T20I between India and Ireland at The Village on August 20, when Niall O’Brien, the cricketer-turned-commentator, revealed the incident when Samson was at the crease. The Kerala-born cricketer was crucial for the Jasprit Bumrah-led side in the second T20I, scoring 40 of 26 deliveries. Notably, the tourists went on to win the game by 33 runs to clinch the series.
The 28-year-old has already disclosed that he is an ardent Rajnikanth fan. Earlier in 2023, Samson visited the actor at his Poes Garden residence in Chennai. Later, he defined the moment as a childhood dream come true. He had also shared his excitement with fans after meeting his favourite movie star on social media. The cricketer posted a heartfelt note and a snapshot along with the actor on his official X account.
“At the age of 7 already being a Super Rajni fan,,I told my parents ..See one day I will go and meet Rajni sir in his house… After 21 years,that day has come when The Thalaivar invited me..,” he had captioned the post.
pic.twitter.com/yFzE2dWbBp
— Prem 2.0 (@premrpk_) August 20, 2023
Sanju Samson named as Asia Cup reserve
India announced an 18-member squad for the much-awaited Asia Cup, scheduled to be contested from August 30 to September 17. Samson has been included in the squad but has been named as a reserve as Ishan Kishan has chosen as the second wicketkeeper-batter ahead of him, with KL Rahul being the preferred one.
Kishan made the cut courtesy of his batting excellence in the recently-concluded ODI series against the West Indies which the Men in Blue won 2-1. The Rajasthan Royals’ skipper has not got too many chances to to don the Indian jersey in ODIs, and his spot in the 2023 World Cup squad is in question. He has scored 390 runs in 13 ODI games at an excellent average of 55.71.