Xplorich
As the tennis world gears up for another edition of Wimbledon, India wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson drew interesting parallels between some of cricket’s biggest icons and modern tennis stars, while also reflecting on India’s recent World Cup successes and the challenge posed by Australia.Speaking ahead of the grass-court major, Samson was asked which cricketer best resembled tennis legend Roger Federer. The Kerala batter immediately pointed to former India captain MS Dhoni, citing the effortless elegance and composure that defined both sporting greats.“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,” Samson told JioStar.Samson also saw similarities between Virat Kohli and Spanish sensation Carlos Alcaraz, highlighting the aggressive and dynamic nature of their games.“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.”The India batter also looked back on a landmark period for Indian cricket when the women’s team lifted its maiden ODI World Cup before the men’s side followed up with a T20 World Cup triumph on home soil just months later.“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,” Samson, who was named the Player of the Tournament, said.“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.”With the Indian women’s team currently competing in the T20 World Cup in England and preparing to take on six-time champions Australia, Samson acknowledged the legacy of the Australian side while noting how India’s stature has changed over the years.“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.”Former India tennis player Rohan Bopanna also weighed in on Wimbledon, naming defending champion Jannik Sinner as his pick for the men’s singles crown and Elena Rybakina as his favourite for the women’s title.“It’s such a tough question; the field is so open. But I have to go with defending champion Jannik Sinner for the men’s tournament. Among women, I would pick Elena Rybakina,” he said.Bopanna also spoke about the special place Wimbledon holds in his career and memories.“Wimbledon is a magical dream because I grew up watching only that. Back home, we only used to watch Wimbledon. In fact, television only broadcast Wimbledon.“So, for me to go there and not only be present but also play on those courts was absolutely amazing. I also played in an era when the three greatest tennis players of our generation, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, were competing.“Sharing locker rooms with them and simply being there was better than a dream, actually.”
