Imagine sharing a dressing room with MS Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja during your summer holidays. Sounds unreal at the age of 18, right? For most teenagers, it’s the stuff of dreams. But for Andre Siddharth, it’s his reality.

This explosive right-hander, who was part of the CSK setup, is yet to make his debut in the IPL, but he’s already turning heads. Not just because of his resemblance to Rachin Ravindra and Jadeja, but for the way he’s announced himself with a stellar start to his first-class career.

Currently deep in preparation for the domestic season, Siddharth carved out time for a candid chat, opening up about his mindset, his evolving technique, and what he’s looking forward to in the upcoming season.
There’s confirmation on Dhoni’s presence in the 2026 season. Most importantly, for young guns like Siddharth, just being around Thala might be the biggest learning curve of all.

As an 18-year-old, competing against the greats, what sort of brute confidence do you need to step on the field? Do you have a routine?
I don’t follow a fixed routine; I simply continue doing what I’ve been doing since childhood. But one thing I firmly believe is that I’m not inferior to anyone. That belief is deeply rooted in me. There’s a quiet confidence, maybe even a touch of ego, that tells me I belong up there with the best. I don’t say it out loud, but in my head, I know it. And that mindset pushes me to keep improving every single day. That’s what drives me. I know that if I truly work on myself, improve every day and apply what I’ve learned, I can put up a fair fight. I’m not claiming I’ll be better than my mentors but I believe I can rise to their level and stand alongside them.

Your batting looks so pleasing to the eye. A right-handed batsman with a classical stance but packs a punch with aggressive play. Can you take us through the journey of finding this style?
I picked up my stance from my uncle, Sridharan Sharath. He’s currently a member of the Senior Men’s National Selection Committee and has also represented India A and Tamil Nadu in the Ranji Trophy. He helped me perfect my stance. Yes, classical cricket is important, but I just love hitting the ball. I don’t overthink while I’m at the crease. I go out there and back my strengths.

So, can we say you bat a little like Rishabh Pant?
I wouldn’t compare myself to anyone. I have my own way of batting. I know how to play textbook cricket when the situation demands it. And when there’s a need to shift gears, I can accelerate. It all depends on the match scenario, but my approach is very much my own.

Do you remember the moment when it sparked you that you should take cricket seriously?
I was around 10 years old when I got selected for the Under-12 state camp. That was the moment I knew I was up for it. I didn’t put up extravagant numbers, and I was the youngest among those competing for a spot. But that selection made me realise something important: they didn’t pick me just because I was young; they saw potential in me. That lit a spark. From that point on, I decided to keep pushing forward. And I’ve been doing that ever since.

You signed a contract with CSK at an age when most people were thinking about college. If not for cricket, what do you think you’d be studying right now?
I honestly don’t know what I’d be studying, but one thing I’m sure of, I’d still be playing some sport. I just love sports. I play badminton, pickleball, that is a sport that’s only recently been picked up in India. Mostly badminton, though. Back in 6th and 7th grade, I almost played at the state level. So, if not cricket, I think I’d have pursued that.
MS Dhoni also loves badminton. Did you ever get a chance to play with him?
No, not yet. It’s actually tough for him to step out. He’s very reserved and quiet. And with the kind of superstardom he has, he can’t just come out and play casually. But I go out and play badminton and pickleball with my friends in the apartment whenever I get the chance.

Dhoni doesn’t really give immediate criticism after the game. He sort of has his own way to get his teammates into the zone. CSK had a forgettable season, so what was the mood in the dressing room and practice sessions?
One thing I’ve really learned from Mahi bhai is to stay the same, whether you win or lose. Don’t get too excited when you win, and don’t be too hard on yourself when you lose. That balance is important if you want to keep playing the sport at a high level. And honestly, the environment around us has been really positive. No one’s out there criticising anyone. We’re all just focused on getting better every single day, and that’s what matters the most.

First Class Batting average is 68 ( As of July 2025 ) which includes a century and 5 fifties. Truly a commendable run. But cricket isn’t a fairytale always, there are ups and downs, even the greats have faced it. So, according to you, why is going out of form important and how will you overcome it?
Going out of form is actually really important. I believe it’s in those tough phases that you truly understand where you need to improve. You start identifying areas to work on, things to learn, and the mindset you need to develop. If you’re always in form and just keep scoring runs, you can become complacent. You might lose the hunger to grow. But the game keeps evolving, bowlers keep coming up with new challenges. And as a batsman, you have to constantly adapt and find answers. Cricket isn’t a game where you ever truly master it. You’re always a student of the sport.

Which role or position do you feel would suit you best within the team?
I’m not really thinking about that right now. For me, it’s about putting my best foot forward, improving my skills, and continuing to win games for my state. I haven’t given much thought to the IPL at this point. Of course, it’s important, but my focus right now is on the upcoming league matches and state games. That’s where my energy is. Yes, the IPL can open doors getting on the national team, and playing for India is definitely a dream. But at the moment, my priority is to perform well for my state, which is Tamil Nade.