'‘Rahul Dravid picked me in 2013, now I’m captain and he’s coach’ - Sanju Samson reflects on 'surreal' Rajasthan Royals journey

Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson recently reflected on his long-standing association with the franchise and his journey from being a young player under Rahul Dravid's captaincy in 2013 to now captaining the side with Dravid as head coach. With IPL 2025 just a week away, Samson voiced his admiration for Dravid’s guidance and leadership, calling the experience of working with him once again surreal.

Dravid, who previously captained the Royals in IPL 2012 and 2013 before taking up roles as team director and mentor in the 2014 and 2015 seasons, has now returned to the franchise as head coach. His coaching stint with the Indian national team ended in June 2024 after leading them to their first ICC title in over a decade, the T20 World Cup victory.

Meanwhile, Samson was first spotted by Dravid during trials for Rajasthan Royals in 2013, and now, more than a decade later, he is set to captain the team under Dravid’s guidance. The Kerala batter opened up on his first interaction with the batting legend.

"It’s quite funny how things work out. In my first season, Rahul sir was the one who spotted me during the trials. He was the captain back then, looking out for young talent. After watching me, he came up to me and said, ‘Okay, can you play for my team?’ From that day to today, it feels surreal. Now, I am the captain of the franchise, and Rahul sir has returned after so many years to coach the team. It’s a unique and special feeling. He was always part of the Rajasthan Royals family, and we are all grateful to have him back. I am looking forward to learning a lot from him in the coming years, and it’s really exciting," he said on JioHotstar.

He also mentioned about Dravid’s approach towards coaching and his dedication to the game. Samson shared an incident about seeing Dravid in action during training camps. 

"I’ve always observed him from a distance and also been close to him. He’s a top-notch professional who ensures that every aspect of preparation is taken care of. I was with him last month in Nagpur, Talegaon, and saw how involved he is. From 10 AM in the morning till 5 PM in the evening, in the heat, he was there watching batsmen bat and bowlers bowl, interacting with them, discussing strategies with the coaches. He is fully committed to the team, from A to Z. That’s something I admire and want to learn—how to prepare better. Preparation is a key part of his character, and I want to incorporate that into my own approach," he added.

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'Even now, he is fully immersed in the game' - Sanju Samson on Rahul Dravid

When asked whether the legendary batter ever gets tired, Samson revealed that even at this age, Dravid is fully involved in the game, and there is a lot to learn from his passion for the sport.

"That’s his love for the game. That’s his tribute to cricket. I remember sitting at the back and seeing him standing in the sun, near the sight screen, doing shadow practice all by himself. Even now, he is fully immersed in the game. There is so much to observe and learn from his passion," Samson further added.

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The 30-year-old went on to speak about Dravid, the captain. He stressed his approach of leading from the front, his communication skills and handling different players. With the 18th edition of cash-rich league approaching, the right-handed batter is looking forward to using the same approach.

"As a captain, I see how he led from the front—not just through his skills but off the field as well. He never missed an optional practice session when he was the captain. I observed how he treated young players in the dressing room, how he communicated with seniors, how he handled team meetings, and how he welcomed new players. All those small but significant things shaped my understanding of leadership, and I try to follow the same approach," the wicketkeeper-batter concluded.