
'A Superstar Like...': Sanju Samson's Alternate Career Choice Leaves Ashwin In Splits
Sanju Samson, excelling in India's T20I and IPL, shared on Ashwin's podcast that he might have pursued acting like Rajinikanth if not a cricketer. He may leave Rajasthan Royals.
Sanju Samson has cemented his place in India's T20I set-up after toiling for close to a decade. He has been thriving as a stylish opener since Gautam Gambhir took over as head coach and has also proved his mettle as an able captain in the IPL circuit. But how would he have ended up if he wasn't a cricketer?
The Kerala cricketer recently appeared in Ravichandran Ashwin's YouTube Podcast – Kutti Stories with Ash – and revealed the he would have chosen if he hadn't become an international cricketer. Samson, who admires Rajinikanth, said he would have ended up being an actor like Tamil superstar.
'If you were not a cricketer, what profession do you think you would have genuinely thrived in?" asked Ashwin.
Samson said, 'Superstar like Rajini sir."
His answer left Ashwin surprised as the veteran off-spinner chuckled after knowing about Samson's interest in cinema.
Samson went to share an anecdote, explaining his fandom for Rajinikanth.
'I was in Dublin, Ireland, for a match, and there was a Rajini sir film releasing the next day, and there was a match the day after. I went alone, booked a ticket, saw the movie and returned. I have gone to that extent, so yeah, I'm thrilled to watch his next movie," Samson said.
'Even there, you find Malyalis, Tamils, and Andhra people, right? The theatre was full," he added.
Sanju to part ways with Rajasthan Royals?
Reports suggest Sanju Samson is unhappy with the Rajasthan Royals management and has formally requested to leave the franchise. Having played 149 matches and scored over 4,000 runs, Samson is the Royals' most capped player and leading run-scorer, making his potential exit a major blow for the inaugural IPL champions.
view comments
First Published:
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


News18
an hour ago
- News18
Shai Hope Becomes 1st West Indies Captain In 34 Years To...
Last Updated: Shai Hope scored 120 runs from 94 balls for West Indies in the third and final ODI of the three-match series played at Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba on August 12. Shai Hope scored 120 runs from 94 balls for the West Indies on Tuesday (August 12) to help them secure a big win by 202 runs over Pakistan. In the third and final ODI of the three-match series played at Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba, Hope's 18th ODI century helped West Indies post a total of 294/6 in 50 overs, and the target of 295 runs proved too much for the visitors, and they got all out for just 92 runs in 29.2 overs. The win in the third ODI helped West Indies seal the home series with a scoreline of 2-1. The last time the West Indies won a bilateral ODI series against the Pakistani team was way back in November 1991. Under Richie Richardson's leadership, West Indies won the first and third ODIs against the Imran Khan-led side in Pakistan, whereas the second 50-over match in Lahore on November 22, 1991, ended in a tie. For his super show with the bat in the series decider, Hope won the Player of the Match award. The wicketkeeper-batter hammered 10 fours and five sixes during his stay at the crease on Tuesday. 23-year-old fast bowler entered his name in the history books on Tuesday (August 12) by becoming the first West Indies bowler to take six wickets in an ODI match against the Pakistani team. The Trinidad & Tobago-born cricketer led the West Indies bowling attack in the third and final ODI of the three-match series against Pakistan at Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba on Tuesday and picked up 6 wickets for 18 runs in 7.2 overs. Before Seales, the record of best bowling figures by a West Indies bowler in ODIs against Pakistan was in the name of Franklyn Rose. Rose picked up 5 wickets for 23 runs in 10 overs against Pakistan during the ODI match played in Kingstown on April 12, 2000. Seales's figures of 6 for 18 in 7.2 overs are the third best by a West Indies bowler in ODIs. He is only behind Winston Davis, who picked up 7 wickets for 51 runs in 10.3 overs against Australia in 1983, and Colin Croft, who finished with figures of 6 for 15 in nine overs against England in Kingstown on February 4, 1981. Seales' 6/18 also helped him break Dale Steyn's record of best bowling figures in ODIs against Pakistan. view comments First Published: August 13, 2025, 03:38 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.


News18
an hour ago
- News18
BLACKPINK's Lisa Hints At Heartbreaking Split With Kentaro Sakaguchi In Dream Short Film
Last Updated: Lisa and Kentaro Sakaguchi's Dream short film portrays a bittersweet romance ending in heartbreak, releasing August 13. BLACKPINK's Lisa is stepping into the world of emotional storytelling with Japanese actor Kentaro Sakaguchi, confirming their much-speculated collaboration. After months of dating rumors and curiosity about their bond, the duo will now share the screen in a short film based on Lisa's solo track Dream, from her 2024 album Alter Ego. The official trailer, released on August 12, offers a glimpse into a bittersweet romance that ends in heartbreak. Earlier promotional material showed Lisa embracing a man wearing a matching couple ring — a hint now confirmed to be Kentaro Sakaguchi. 'We ended, just like that. All good things must come to an end, and so did we. Nothing in this world can rewind time. So all I could do was to just look at you. One last time. I couldn't do anything." The visuals show Lisa and Kentaro as a blissfully happy couple, sharing tender and joyful moments. But as the story progresses, their relationship transitions into silence and distance. Despite his desire to stop her from leaving, Kentaro's character is powerless — marking the core of the heartbreak portrayed in the short film. Dream Short Film Release Date and Expectations Fans believe the storyline may have been inspired by personal experiences, adding to the intrigue surrounding the project. The cinematic trailer hints at a deeply emotional narrative that pairs Lisa's poignant track with striking visuals of love lost. Set against a dreamy backdrop, the Dream short film captures the progression of a relationship from passion to separation, reflecting themes of nostalgia, longing, and acceptance. Lisa's performance, paired with Kentaro's emotional depth, is already drawing praise from fans across the globe. Dream is scheduled for release on August 13 at 11 PM ET, and anticipation is high among BLINKs and drama lovers alike. Whether inspired by real life or purely fictional, this short film looks set to become one of the most talked-about K-pop visual projects of the year. view comments First Published: August 13, 2025, 03:31 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.


News18
an hour ago
- News18
First Time In 50 Years! Pakistan Lose An ODI Match By...
Last Updated: In reply to the 295-run target set by the West Indies team, Pakistan could only manage to score 92 runs for the loss of 10 wickets and suffer a defeat by 202 runs. Pakistan's men's cricket team suffered a humiliating defeat by 202 runs on Tuesday (August 12) against the West Indies. In the third and final ODI of the three-match series played at Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba, the Men in Green could only manage to score 92 runs for the loss of 10 wickets in 29.2 overs in reply to the 295-run target. Vice-captain Salman Ali Agha top-scored by making 30 runs from 49 balls, and all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz remained unbeaten on 23 runs from 28 balls. As many as five Pakistani batters – Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Mohammad Rizwan, Hasan Ali and Abrar Ahmed – failed to open their accounts. For the West Indies, fast bowler Jayden Seales picked up six wickets for 18 runs in 7.2 overs, and two Pakistani batters were sent back to the pavilion by spinner Gudakesh Motie, who also completed one catch. The defeat by 202 runs on Tuesday is the first time in 50 years that Pakistan lost an ODI match by a margin of more than 200 runs against the West Indies team. The first-ever match between the two teams was played in Birmingham on June 11, 1975. The previous record of the biggest ODI defeat against the Men in Maroon for Pakistan was 150 runs. During the 2015 ODI World Cup match played in Christchurch on February 21, 2015, the Jason Holder-led side hammered Misbah-ul-Haq and Co. by 150 runs. In their history of ODI cricket, Pakistan have only lost four times by a margin of more than 200 runs. Pakistan's worst defeat in ODIs came against Sri Lanka in Lahore on January 24, 2009. In that match, the Men in Green went on to lose the match by 234 runs. Pakistan's biggest defeats in ODIs (by runs) For his 120-run knock from 94 balls in the third ODI, West Indies captain Shai Hope won the Player of the Match award, and Seales bagged the Player of the Series award. view comments First Published: August 13, 2025, 03:05 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.