'He Is Fully Immersed': Sanju Samson Reveals How Rahul Dravid Shaped His Leadership Style As Rajasthan Royals' Skipper

Sanju Samson, the skipper of the Rajasthan Royals, has spoken about how former India head coach Rahul Dravid has shaped his leadership abilities over time. The inaugural IPL champions have hired Dravid as their head coach, and he will work with the cricketers to improve their skills throughout the season. Samson implied that he learnt some of Dravid's leadership habits, such as how he interacted with seniors and juniors and conducted team meetings.

Sanju Samson Reveals How Dravid Had A Major Influence On His Leadership

Rajasthan Royals' skipper Sanju Samson will once again lead the team after rallying them to the Eliminator round in the 2024 season. RR lost to RCB, ending their campaign, but they put on an impressive performance that drew a lot of attention. This year, the Royals have credible star power, and Rahul Dravid, the World Cup-winning coach, is also on the roster. Samson stated that Dravid had an influence on his captaincy skills in the IPL over the years.

"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.

"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 sightscreen, 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," Sanju Samson said while speaking to JioHotstar, as quoted by PTI.

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Dravid's Commitment Knows No Bounds

Despite being injured, head coach Rahul Dravid arrived at the team training camp. With his left leg in a cast and on crutches, he was seen interacting with the players and overseeing the training. Dravid suffered an injury while taking part in a Karnataka club match alongside his younger son Anvay.

The Rajasthan Royals will begin their campaign with an away fixture against the Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on March 23, 2025.    

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