He breathed his last at the age of 79. Singh is survived by his wife Vinita and daughters Mahima, Sunaina and Rajeshwari.

“He had a brain stroke earlier and could not recover. He died this morning at about 10.30am in Delhi. The cremation will be held at Haridwar tomorrow. It’s a huge loss for shooting and the Olympic movement. We were together in Indian trap team for more than 20 years and our friendship completed 50 years this year,” Gurbir Singh Sandhu, former president, Punjab Shooting Association, and father of Former world champion Manavjit Sandhu

Born in the Royal family of Patiala, Randhir Singh was one of the most influential figures in the country's Olympic movement with a distinguished shooting career and first Indian shooter to win gold at the Asian Games after claiming the top position in the trap event.

Randhir Singh left an indelible mark in spoorts fraternity and an enduring legacy both as a decorated athlete and a powerful administrator.

While he was competing as a shooter, he forayed into sports administration and became the Secretary General of the Olympic Council of Asia. During his last international competition in 1994, he became the first person to compete in the Asian Games while being an office bearer in a continental sports organisation.

Singh had recently stepped down as President of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) citing health concerns. Earlier he had served the organisation for more than two decades including as Secretary Genral from 1991 to 2015. 

Hearing Vinesh Phogat’s plea against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), the court observed that allowing her to compete was necessary in the interest of both sports and justice. The High Court also remarked that the federation’s selection policy appeared discriminatory.

To ensure transparency in the process, the court directed the WFI to video-record the trials. It further ordered that two observers from the Sports Authority of India (SAI) remain present during the selection process.

The decision comes a day after the Delhi High Court strongly criticised the WFI for preventing Vinesh Phogat from participating in domestic competitions. During the earlier hearing, the court questioned why exceptions had earlier been granted to renowned athletes while she was being treated differently.

The court had also suggested the formation of an expert panel and observed that Vinesh Phogat, who is returning to competitive wrestling after maternity leave, should be given an opportunity to compete in the Asian Games trials.

The Wrestling Federation of India had declared Vinesh Phogat ineligible to participate in domestic events until June 26, 2026, citing anti-doping regulations. Challenging the decision, the wrestler approached the Delhi High Court seeking relief.

The Delhi High Court also told the Centre to form an expert panel to assess Vinesh’s fitness and chances of returning to competition.

The court asked the government to make sure Vinesh gets a chance to participate in the upcoming Asian Games selection trials.

During the hearing, the judges said motherhood is respected and celebrated in India and should not become a reason to stop an athlete from competing. The Bench also remarked that the federation should not behave with “vengeance”.

Vinesh Phogat had approached the High Court after a single-judge Bench earlier refused to give her immediate relief regarding participation in the selection trials scheduled for May 30 and 31.

Her lawyer argued that the WFI was trying to keep her out unfairly. He pointed to a show-cause notice sent to her on May 9, just before she participated in a domestic tournament in Gonda.

The court also criticised the language used in the notice, especially the statement calling her Paris Olympics disqualification a “national shame”.

The judges questioned why the federation changed its earlier practice of allowing reputed athletes to return after breaks. The court said the change in rules raised serious questions.

Vinesh became a mother in July 2025 and is now trying to return to wrestling after her maternity break.

The WFI had declared her ineligible till June 26, 2026. The federation said wrestlers returning after retirement must follow a mandatory six-month notice period under anti-doping rules.

Despite the restriction, Vinesh still took part in the National Open Ranking Tournament held in Gonda.

Vinesh Phogat was also one of the leading wrestlers who protested in 2023 against former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh over allegations of sexual harassment.

In the Paris Olympics 2024, Vinesh was disqualified from the women’s 50kg final after she was found 100 gram overweight during the morning weigh-in.

Kohli led India in 68 Test matches and guided the team to 40 victories, making him one of the country’s most successful captains in the longest format of the game. Before leaving the Test captaincy, he had also stepped down as India’s T20I captain and was later removed from the ODI captaincy.

Speaking at the third edition of the RCB Innovation Lab’s Indian Sports Summit, Kohli admitted that the responsibility of leading the team and performing with the bat slowly consumed him.

He said he was deeply focused on keeping Indian cricket at the top and did not realise how much pressure he was carrying every day. According to Kohli, by the time he left captaincy, he was mentally and emotionally drained.

Kohli said handling expectations became extremely difficult, especially when his form was not consistent. He added that during his best years, his main aim was to ensure that insecurity never entered the dressing room.

The batting star also credited former India head coach Ravi Shastri and the team management for supporting him during that phase.

Kohli further revealed that the period after leaving captaincy was emotionally challenging. However, he thanked former India coach Rahul Dravid and batting coach Vikram Rathour for helping him rediscover the joy of playing cricket.

He said their caring and supportive approach made him feel valued again and motivated him to perform for the team. Kohli also shared that they reminded him of everything he had already achieved in his career.

The 37-year-old enjoyed a strong run in Test cricket in 2023 and said he remains grateful to Dravid and Rathour for standing by him during one of the toughest phases of his career.

Senior players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have been included in the ODI squad. However, the participation of Rohit and Hardik Pandya will depend on clearance under the BCCI’s fitness protocols.

Young players Harsh Dubey, Gurnoor Brar, Manav Suthar and Prince Yadav (for ODIs only) have received their first India call-ups. Meanwhile, fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah has been rested for the series.

With the T20 World Cup completed and the focus now shifting toward the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, the selectors are expected to use this series to begin shaping a squad capable of competing for the title.

India’s likely top order appears straightforward, with Gill and Rohit expected to open the innings, followed by Kohli at number three.

Rohit had missed five consecutive IPL matches for the Mumbai Indians because of a right hamstring injury. He later returned only as an Impact Substitute. Although his batting form remained solid — scoring 268 runs in seven matches — concerns remained over whether he could handle the physical demands of batting for long periods and fielding through a full 50-over match.

Despite those concerns, he has still been selected in the ODI squad.

India Test squad: Shubman Gill (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul (vc) Sai Sudharsan, Rishabh Pant, Devdutt Padikkal, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Manav Suthar, Gurnoor Brar, Harsh Dubey, Dhruv Jurel

India's ODI squad: Shubman Gill (c), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (vc), KL Rahul (wk), Shreyas Iyer (vc), Ishan Kishan (wk), Hardik Pandya, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Prince Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Kuldeep Yadav, Gurnoor Brar, Harsh Dubey.

The Qualifier 1, featuring the top two teams, will be played on May 26 at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, with a direct spot in the final on the line.

The action will then shift to the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International PCA Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh, which will host both the Eliminator on May 27 (between the third and fourth-placed teams) and Qualifier 2 on May 29. Qualifier 2 will decide the second finalist, with the loser of Qualifier 1 facing the winner of the Eliminator.

The tournament will culminate with the final on May 31 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

Originally, the final was scheduled to be held at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. However, due to certain requirements from the local association and authorities—beyond the scope of BCCI’s established guidelines—the venue was shifted and reassigned.

After 70 high-intensity league-stage matches, the tournament now enters its decisive phase, with playoffs being conducted across three venues this season as a special operational arrangement.

Schedule

Qualifier 1 – May 26 – HPCA Stadium, Dharamsala

Eliminator – May 27 – New International Cricket Stadium, New Chandigarh

Qualifier 2 – May 29 – New International Cricket Stadium, New Chandigarh

Final – May 31 – Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad

The squad features several established names such as Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues and wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh. However, a few notable players have missed out. All-rounder Amanjot Kaur has been ruled out due to injury, while Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol and seasoned all-rounder Sneh Rana were also not included in the final list.

Speaking after the announcement, Harmanpreet confirmed that Bharti Fulmali has been brought into the side as a middle-order option in place of injured Amanjot. Fulmali’s aggressive performances in the 2026 Women’s Premier League played a key role in her selection.

Another inclusion that drew attention is pacer Nandani Sharma, who impressed in the same tournament by finishing among the leading wicket-takers. Her consistency with the ball has earned her a spot in the national squad.

India’s spin department will be handled by Shree Charani, Shreyanka Patil and Radha Yadav, with the team management opting for a fresh combination. Radha’s recent improvement with the bat also adds depth to the squad, making her a valuable all-round option.

The pace attack will rely on experienced names like Renuka Singh Thakur and Arundhati Reddy, along with Kranti Gaud and Nandani Sharma, providing a balanced bowling unit for English conditions.

Yastika Bhatia has been named as the reserve wicketkeeping option alongside Richa Ghosh.

The tournament is scheduled to be held in England and Wales, beginning June 14, where India will look to put up a strong performance on the global stage.

The incident unfolded in the 16th over of the second innings when a broadcast camera briefly captured Parag with what appears to be a vape. 

The moment drew even more attention because it happened right after Riyan Parag was dismissed. He had scored 29 runs off 16 balls but couldn’t make the most of the opportunity during an important phase of the chase. Since then, the video has gone viral on social media, leading to questions about possible disciplinary action.

There isn't any particular guideline against vaping at public places however the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has strict parameters for player behaviour. The use of tobacco or related products in dressing rooms or dugouts is generally banned under health and safety protocols, putting Parag at risk of punishment.

In the match, Rajasthan Royals beat Punjab Kings by six wickets on Tuesday. Batting first, Punjab got off to a strong start with opener Prabhsimran Singh scoring 59. Later, Marcus Stoinis added quick runs at the end with an unbeaten 62 off just 22 balls, taking the team to 222 for 4.

At that time, Sreesanth was playing for Kings XI Punjab, while Harbhajan was with Mumbai Indians.

Sreesanth has now claimed that Harbhajan earned around ₹1 crore from an advertisement based on the slapgate incident. He also alleged that Harbhajan asked him to share the ad on Instagram, but he refused.

"I have never spoken about Bhajji in any interview. This is going to be the first time," Sreesanth was quoted as saying. 

Sreesanth said he is upset with Harbhajan’s recent actions and no longer considers him a friend, even though he has forgiven him for the slap in 2008.

"I have no relationship with that person. I used to call him a brother. But in the last one or two months he did that ad, and now I have blocked him on Instagram," Sreesanth said.

"My parents have taught me to forgive but never forget. I don't have any complaints against him, nor do I need him. May God bless him and his family. In many interviews, even with Ashwin, he talked about my daughter. People will think, 'Oh, what a great person he is.' He might be a great person. But for me, from my time playing for India until now, it is all an act. That act is something Sreesanth does not accept."

After winning the toss, Delhi Capitals opted to bat first and posted a formidable 264/2. KL Rahul led the charge with an unbeaten 152, marking the highest individual score by an Indian in IPL history. He surpassed the previous record held by Abhishek Sharma, who had scored 141 last season.

Rahul found strong support in Nitish Rana, who contributed 91 runs. The duo stitched together a remarkable 220-run partnership for the second wicket, putting Delhi in a commanding position.

However, Punjab Kings responded with an exceptional batting display. Their top order maintained an aggressive approach throughout the innings, successfully chasing down the target with four wickets in hand. The chase now stands as the highest successful run pursuit in IPL history.

The match also saw a concerning moment when Delhi pacer Lungi Ngidi suffered a serious injury in the third over. While attempting a catch off a shot by Priyansh Arya, Ngidi misjudged the ball and fell awkwardly. The medical team rushed onto the field and he was later taken to the hospital by ambulance. Play was halted for around 15 minutes before resuming.

Despite Rahul’s record-breaking knock, Delhi Capitals fell short as Punjab Kings delivered one of the most remarkable performances of the season.

Antil, supported by Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra, alleges that Singh's conduct has been detrimental to athletes.

Antil has also alleged that Naval is “probably mentally unstable” and is trying to disturb the peace of athletes like him and Neeraj. “He (Naval Singh) mentally harassed us and abused our, as in mine and Neeraj's, families. He seems mentally unstable. He would deliberately share recordings of his abusive rants with our (team) managers, so that they reach us,” Antil said. 

"And, I am unable to understand why this coach is doing what he is doing. Maybe he wants Sachin Yadav to beat Neeraj bhai because Sachin trains with him," he alleged.

Meanwhile SAI also acknowledged that it has received complaints against Singh and that the matter is being taken up with the concerned authorities. However, the body clarified that Naval Singh is not its employee and is currently engaged by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) as part of the National Coaching Camp.

"A complaint has been received from Sumit Antil, Paralympic Gold Medalist, alleging verbal abuse by Coach Mr. Naval Singh. The complaint has also been supported by other athletes, including Neeraj Chopra," a SAI source said.

Naval Singh was conferred the Dronacharya Award in 2015 and currently he is coaching Sachin Yadav, who finished fourth last year at the World Championships ahead of Neeraj Chopra who placed eighth while managing an injury. 

He has not commented on the allegations so far. 

It is, however, a recurring issue for Iyer. Last season he was penalised twice for the same offence, first Rs 12 lakh and then Rs 24 lakh for a second breach during the same tournament.

On the field, though, Punjab had reason to celebrate. They chased down Gujarat's target of 163 with three wickets in hand to open their IPL 2026 account with two valuable points. Cooper Connolly was the standout performer, holding the innings together with an unbeaten 72 off 44 balls to be named Player of the Match.

Punjab's chase began with purpose. Prabhsimran Singh and Connolly added 77 for the second wicket to put the side in a commanding position at 110 for 2. At that stage, the match appeared won. However, Gujarat captain Shubman Gill made a tactical masterstroke, holding back Prasidh Krishna, who was introduced as the Impact Player, until the 13th over. The move paid off spectacularly. Prasidh dismantled Punjab's middle order, taking three wickets for just three runs off 10 deliveries. Punjab slid alarmingly from 110/2 to 118/6, losing four wickets in the space of 16 balls.

With the match hanging in the balance, Connolly, just 22 years old, displayed remarkable composure. He forged crucial partnerships with South Africa's Marco Jansen and fellow Australian Xavier Bartlett, carefully accumulating the runs Punjab needed. Bartlett, too, showed nerves of steel in a high-pressure situation and together the pair carried Punjab over the line.

Gujarat made a bright start, with Gill striking three boundaries in the second over off Bartlett. He and Sai Sudharsan, last season's most prolific opening partnership, had added 37 before Jansen struck, dismissing Sudharsan for 13. Gujarat maintained a brisk pace of nine runs an over through the Powerplay, but the contest shifted as the ball aged.

Yuzvendra Chahal, the IPL's all-time leading wicket-taker, proved pivotal in the middle overs. He removed Gill for 39 with a well-flighted delivery before also accounting for Jos Buttler, who had scratched his way to 38. Jansen, meanwhile, was relentlessly economical, conceding only 20 runs across his four overs. Despite a 11-ball extended final over from Arshdeep Singh, Gujarat managed only 34 runs in the last five overs.

Brief scores

Gujarat Titans 162 (20 overs) · Punjab Kings 163/7 (19.4 overs) · Punjab Kings won by 3 wickets

Match timings 

Both Punjab Kings and Gujarat Titans held practice sessions at the stadium on Monday from 6 pm to 9 pm. Punjab will enjoy home advantage as Mullanpur serves as their primary venue this season.

Head-to-head record evenly balanced

The rivalry between the two teams has been closely contested. In their last six IPL meetings, both sides have won three matches each. Gujarat Titans’ highest total against Punjab stands at 232 runs, while Punjab Kings have recorded a top score of 243 runs in these encounters.

Gates to open early for fans

To ensure smooth entry, stadium gates will open at 3.30 pm. A total of 10 gates have been arranged for spectators. Gate No. 1 has been reserved for physically disabled visitors to ensure easy access.

Traffic Advisory Issued for Match Day

The local administration has released a detailed traffic advisory to manage the expected rush around the stadium.

Vehicles coming via South Marg will have two route options. One route directs commuters to take a left turn at the Mullanpur-Chandigarh barrier towards Baddi-Kurali Road, then proceed via Omaxe Ship Building and join PR-7 (Airport Road) before heading to Stadium Road.

The second option is to continue straight on Baddi-Kurali Road and take a left near Eco City-1 township, using PR-6 Road to reach the stadium.

Commuters from Baddi or Kurali can continue on PR-7 Road and take a right turn towards Stadium Road. Vehicles coming directly from Kurali can also access the stadium by turning right onto Stadium Road.

Visitors from PGI or Madhya Marg can take Baddi-Kurali Road and turn left onto PR-7 (Airport Road), followed by a left turn towards Stadium Road. Another option is to turn left at the Mullanpur-Chandigarh barrier towards Kurali, then take a left near Eco City-1 and reach the stadium via PR-6 Road.

Chennai Super Kings, in a statement, stated that currently, Dhoni is focusing on special exercises and rehabilitation in order to have speedy recovery from the injury. The team wished him a speedy recovery, saying — "Get well soon, Thala!"

CSK's opening matches without Dhoni

Chennai Super Kings will be beginning their IPL 2026 campaign on March 30 against Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati. MS Dhoni is likely to miss first four matches. This also includes games against Punjab Kings, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and Delhi Capitals. New signing Sanju Samson is expected to take up wicketkeeping duties alongside captain Ruturaj Gaikwad.

Big player changes this season

The IPL season this year has gone through a major squad reshuffling across teams. Sanju Samson, earlier with Rajasthan Royals, has joined Chennai Super Kings. Meanwhile, long-serving CSK all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has returned to his old team, Rajasthan Royals.

Is this Dhoni's last IPL season?

It is being said that IPL 2026 could be the final season of Dhoni's legendary career. However, there has been no official word on this. The 44-year-old cricketer has been facing knee problems for some time now.

At a recent fan event at Chepauk Stadium, MS Dhoni admitted to health issues saying ' fitness levels are no longer what they used to be...is on the way down".

Earlier this year, Bangladesh had banned screening of the IPL in the aftermath of pacer Mustafizur Rahman being relieved from the league. 

“No one applied to us to telecast the IPL. We don’t want to mix politics with sport. We will look at it from a commercial perspective, and if any channel applies to telecast the IPL, we will consider it positively,” Zahir Uddin Swapan said on Saturday.

“We will not bar anyone from telecasting it. If Star Sports wants to telecast it, they can. If any of our channels want to telecast it, we will take it positively, but we will not force anything,” he added.

The board had informally instructed the franchise to part ways with the left-arm pacer while reacting to incidents involving the killing of Hindu minorities in Bangladesh.

Relations between the Board of Control for Cricket in India and the Bangladesh Cricket Board reached a historic low after the incident, leading to Bangladesh withdrawing from the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026.

However, in the past few days, ties have started to improve, with leaders from both countries exchanging friendly gestures and signals of goodwill.

The veteran wicketkeeper-batter is expected to sit out at least the first four matches of the season as he recovers. In his absence, the team is likely to rely on Sanju Samson or Urvil Patel to take over wicketkeeping duties.

Dhoni is set to miss the following matches:

March 30: Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings

April 3: Chennai Super Kings vs Punjab Kings

April 5: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Chennai Super Kings

April 11: Chennai Super Kings vs Delhi Capitals

His absence will be a major early test for CSK, especially in terms of leadership and finishing strength.

Dhoni, who retired from international cricket in 2020, has continued to feature only in the IPL. Last season, he played all 14 matches, scoring 196 runs at a strike rate of over 135, and even briefly returned as captain after Ruturaj Gaikwad was ruled out due to injury.

At 44, Dhoni remains one of the most influential figures in the league. If he returns later this season, he could become the oldest Indian to play in the IPL, highlighting both his longevity and importance to the team.

The deal was struck with United Spirits Limited (USL), a subsidiary of UK-based Diageo plc, for the complete takeover of RCB, covering both the men’s and women’s (WPL) teams. Following the purchase, Aryaman Birla is set to take over as the chairman of the franchise.

What did Aryaman Birla say?

“It is a privilege to come together in this partnership to shape the next phase of growth for RCB. This partnership brings together a deep understanding of sports, media and consumer businesses."

Who is Aryaman Birla ?

Aryaman Birla, 28, is the son of Kumar Mangalam Birla, chairman of the Aditya Birla Group. A former cricketer, he represented Madhya Pradesh in domestic cricket and shared the dressing room with players like RCB captain Rajat Patidar and all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer.

A left-handed batter, Aryaman featured in nine first-class matches for Madhya Pradesh, scoring 414 runs, including a century against Bengal at Eden Gardens. He also appeared in four List-A games, scoring 36 runs.

He had entered the IPL 2018 mega auction and was picked up by Rajasthan Royals for ₹30 lakh but did not get a chance to play and was released before the 2020 season. Around that period, Aryaman stepped away from cricket, taking a sabbatical to deal with severe anxiety.

The decision had earlier sparked controversy when RCB retained Dayal in their pre-auction list, leading to criticism. His absence from the team’s training sessions ahead of the new season further fueled speculation about his exclusion. It has now been clarified that he will miss the season due to a “personal situation.”

Speaking to reporters, Bobat said on Tuesday: "So, just to confirm that Yash will not be joining up with the squad. As you know, he is going through a personal situation currently, and just to clarify, we've been very supportive of Yash to date and that's reflected in the fact that we retained him when we had the opportunity to either retain or release players.

"We wanted to retain him, and he remains under contract and will continue in the short term to remain under contract," Bobat told the media during a press conference. "We are communicating with him regularly. I spoke to him earlier today as well, but it has been decided that it is not in his best interest or the franchise's best interest for him to join up with us at this point."

Dayal has been named in two separate criminal cases involving serious allegations. The first FIR was registered in July 2025 at the Indirapuram Police Station in Ghaziabad, where a woman accused him of physical and emotional exploitation under the false promise of marriage during a five-year relationship.

Soon after, a second case was filed in Jaipur under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. In this case, a minor alleged that Dayal sexually assaulted her multiple times since 2023, including an incident during the 2025 IPL season at a hotel, where he had reportedly promised to help her career.

In a statement issued by spokesperson Asad Mansoor, the group described the high-profile T20 league as a stark contrast to the suffering in regions like Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. It criticised the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) efforts to showcase normalcy, calling the celebratory atmosphere of the PSL insensitive to those it claims are facing systemic oppression.

"We wish to convey a clear and urgent message to all participants of the PSL, especially the foreign players: The current internal security and political landscape of the country is volatile and precarious.

"In a climate where military operations and civil unrest dominate significant portions of the territory, the safety of international athletes cannot be guaranteed. Given these dire circumstances, we strongly advise you to prioritise your personal security and withdraw from the tournament immediately.

"The environment is currently unfit for any peaceful sporting activity."

Unlike earlier generic warnings, this statement is being viewed as a significant threat to the tournament’s international credibility. Notably, Australian cricketer Steve Smith was seen arriving in Pakistan on Monday to join the Multan Sultans and is set to make his PSL debut following a successful Big Bash League season.

Although the PCB has reiterated that top-level security arrangements remain firmly in place, the warning is likely to have a psychological impact on participating players.

The Kerala-born wicketkeeper-batter, who was traded to CSK for Rs 18 crore ahead of IPL 2026, had remained silent on the matter until now, despite reports last year suggesting he had expressed a desire to leave midway through the 2025 season.

Breaking his silence on Monday, Samson said he does not let emotions interfere with his game and will have no hesitation in facing his former side when the two teams meet in the tournament opener on March 30 in Guwahati.

“This will be my first match against Rajasthan, but I don’t carry emotions onto the field. I felt my time with the franchise was over, and it was the right moment to move on. I will always focus on giving my best, irrespective of the opposition,” Samson said while speaking to reporters.

The 31-year-old had a memorable stint with the Royals, even leading them to the IPL 2022 final, where they finished runners-up to Gujarat Titans.

Now gearing up for a new chapter, Samson expressed excitement about joining CSK and the opportunity to work closely with legendary captain MS Dhoni. He revealed that he has already interacted with Dhoni and is keen to learn from his vast experience during the upcoming season.

“I’ve always had positive interactions with Dhoni bhai, both on and off the field. Spending an entire season with him will be a valuable learning experience. I’m really looking forward to observing him closely,” he added.

Samson also fondly recalled the support he received from Chennai fans during India’s T20 World Cup campaign, particularly during a crucial Super 8 clash, calling it a special moment in his career.