Cricket crowds are flooding stadiums in support of their favourite franchises as the 2026 season of the Indian Premier League gets into full swing. For Chennai Super Kings, that backing has been channelled through the franchise’s storied “Yellow Army”, and one name has quickly become central to their revival: Sanju Samson. The 31-year-old wicketkeeper-batter has injected fresh optimism at the top of the order, at a time when CSK—five-time champions under the legacy of MS Dhoni—have been searching for stability since Ruturaj Gaikwad took over in 2024.
Key takeaways
- CSK’s 2026 campaign started poorly, with the team losing their first three matches in a row.
- Samson has provided a major boost to CSK’s batting after an early struggle to make an impact.
- In the win over Delhi Capitals, Samson struck an unbeaten 115 off 56 balls as DC fell short by 23 runs in a 212-run chase.
- A swap that brought Samson to CSK followed his long stint with Rajasthan Royals, with Ravindra Jadeja moving the other way.
- Mohammad Kaif believes one breakthrough innings helped change the trajectory of Samson’s CSK story.
- After beating DC again this season, CSK moved to sixth place and now eye a top-four turnaround.
CSK’s rough start and the turning point from Samson
The season began with high expectations, but CSK’s opening phase quickly turned bleak. They lost three consecutive games to start their 2026 IPL journey, and much of the criticism landed on the batting group, which failed to consistently add runs to support the bowling effort.
Everything began to shift after CSK tasted their first victory of the season against Delhi Capitals last month. Since that breakthrough, their batting has taken on a more confident shape, and Samson’s influence at the top has been a significant factor behind that change.
The pressure of the trade and early concerns
Samson’s integration into CSK, however, has not been smooth. The wicketkeeper-batter arrived with the weight of a reported INR 18 crore trade following an 11-year association with Rajasthan Royals. In the swap, CSK sent Ravindra Jadeja to the Royals, a deal that also carried an eye on future leadership and succession planning involving Dhoni’s eventual retirement from wicketkeeping duties.
Mohammad Kaif, a former India batter turned commentator, suggested that the move initially looked like a miscalculation from CSK’s management. He pointed to Samson’s inability to reproduce the extraordinary form that had helped India deliver success in the 2026 T20 World Cup held before the IPL.
Kaif highlighted that Samson’s early CSK numbers were unusually modest, with scores of 6, 7, and 9 across his first three appearances for the franchise. In that period, it seemed the decision to back him to replace long-serving wicketkeeper Dhoni—while letting Jadeja move on—could end up costing CSK dearly.
Yet Kaif later praised how a single breakout performance altered Samson’s journey at CSK and potentially reignited their 2026 campaign.
Kaif’s view: from early flop to a new CSK chapter
Discussing Samson’s transformation, Kaif said the early phase went badly for CSK: the team had taken him with great hope, Jadeja had been exchanged to Rajasthan, and the plan initially did not deliver as expected. But once Samson delivered a century, his progress accelerated, and the storyline changed.
That breakthrough came in a defining performance against Delhi Capitals, where Samson played a match-winning knock of 115 not out from 56 balls. His century proved decisive as Delhi fell short by 23 runs in a high-pressure 212-run chase.
Kaif also stressed that Samson’s difficulties have shaped his mentality and improved his game as he enters his early thirties. He noted that Samson’s path has rarely been comfortable, particularly on the international stage, where his spot in India’s T20I setup has frequently been questioned since his debut against Zimbabwe in 2015.
Since then, Samson has been in and out of the national team, making 62 appearances for India in T20Is. Kaif pointed out that Samson’s biggest involvement came during the 2026 T20 World Cup, where he was included after a reshuffle in the top order and injuries forced changes to the squad.
Kaif added that Samson’s experiences have given him a different kind of hunger. He referenced the fact that Samson made his India debut 11 years earlier, did not get consistent match opportunities immediately, and even missed the World Cup initially before being called in later. Kaif concluded that with his batting now in his own hands, Samson wants to make opponents pay whenever he gets the chance to bat.
Second win over DC and Samson’s tactical escalation
Kaif further praised Samson for guiding CSK to a thumping victory over Delhi Capitals for the second time in the season—a result he described as crucial for CSK’s qualification hopes. He suggested that Samson’s experience and adaptability helped him handle difficult conditions on a night when many other batters found it hard to score.
He also explained how Samson adjusted his approach mid-innings, shifting gears after targeting Kuldeep Yadav and T Natarajan—both bowlers under pressure in the context of the match. Kaif mentioned that Samson was on 12 off 16 balls at one point, but rather than forcing shots, he managed the situation and allowed the pitch and conditions to dictate his pace.
Because it was not a chase at the scale of 200-plus runs in ideal batting conditions, Kaif said Samson showed patience first and then made the necessary acceleration when the time came to strike. He emphasised that Samson’s temperament stood out: he took Kuldeep to task and also hit meaningful shots against T Natarajan.
In Kaif’s words, Samson’s mindset is to play according to the situation rather than attempting to dominate every over. Kaif concluded that the balls were “more than the runs” at that stage, and Samson demonstrated how to survive until the match demanded more aggression.
Where CSK stand now
With their latest win over Delhi Capitals, CSK have climbed to sixth place in the points table. The franchise will now be hoping that Samson’s current rhythm continues, as CSK look to reverse a campaign that once seemed headed toward disappointment—and push back into contention for a top-four finish.
