Chennai Super Kings wicket-keeper batter Sanju Samson is enjoying a standout run with his new franchise, and his form in IPL 2026 has caught the attention of fans and pundits alike. With the season progressing, Samson has placed himself among the key contenders for the Orange Cap, sitting among the leading run-scorers. However, former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar believes there’s one area Samson must sharpen further—his physical fitness—and has urged the Kerala cricketer to take guidance from Virat Kohli to help extend his career.
Manjrekar’s comments come after Samson’s fortunes improved once the IPL 2026 campaign reached its middle stages. Following a slow start, Samson has accelerated his output for CSK, amassing 402 runs across 10 matches. His batting includes a strike rate of 167, underlining how quickly he has been able to score once he hit his rhythm. While Manjrekar acknowledged that Samson is currently performing at his best, he still wants the batter to treat fitness with greater seriousness.
“I’m saying that about Sanju Samson as well, who’s also not a 25-year-old because he’s hit the peak of his achievements, just to sustain it. He could also do the same thing, because I see him also not being in peak physical condition,” Manjrekar said on Sportstar’s Insight Edge Podcast.
Manjrekar pointed to Kohli as an example of how fitness can help players stay effective for longer. “When you have a great example, like Virat Kohli, who has had such a long career. You know, just because he’s given fitness so much importance. He’s had tremendous skills, but he’s made sure that the body doesn’t let him down. Because that’s the one you can control,” he added.
In Manjrekar’s view, the need for peak fitness is even more pronounced for Samson because of his specific responsibilities in the CSK setup. As a wicket-keeper batter, Samson’s workload goes beyond batting—he is required to keep wickets throughout the innings, including the full demands of a 20-over spell. That makes consistent physical conditioning central, Manjrekar argued, if Samson is to keep his career running at the highest level.
Samson’s recent impact with the bat has continued to show up on matchdays. Against Delhi, he stood out as CSK’s driving force, finishing unbeaten on 82 off 52 balls. He also combined with youngster Kartik Sharma to build a crucial, match-turning partnership. For his efforts, Samson was awarded Player of the Match as CSK wrapped up an eight-wicket win.
