After MS Dhoni, Sanju Samson ruled out of CSK’s IPL 2026 opener? Truth revealed
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After CSK veteran MS Dhoni was ruled out of the IPL 2026 opener for the Super Kings, wicket-keeper batter Sanju Samson also missed a training session before the start of the IPL.
The Chennai Super Kings have had two of their worst seasons in the IPL, in the 2024 and 2025 editions. Having finished as the last team on the IPL points table, the Super Kings intended to revamp their squad and took many bold decisions in order to secure their stance.
The Super Kings traded in Indian wicket-keeper batter Sanju Samson from Rajasthan Royals for a whopping cost, as a result of which they had to give away Ravindra Jadeja alongside Sam Curran, the two veteran all-rounders. Samson then went on to be one of India's surprise packages, leading them to a victory in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.
Sanju Samson was absent from CSK's final practice session before the IPL opener
Just before the start of the 19th season of the IPL, the Chennai Super Kings dealt their fans a massive blow. They announced that Dhoni would not be available to feature in the first two weeks of the IPL following a calf injury. However, many have cited this as a strategic move.
Now needed one day before the start of the IPL, the internet went bizarre when Sanju Samson the Indian World Cup hero, was absent from one of CSK's practice sessions. This was rather the final session before the start of the tournament. However, Samson's absence marked immense buzz on his availability.
Samson has been a stylish cricketer in the format; however, his fitness has been a massive concern. In the last season as well, Samson was repeatedly benched in the Royals camp due to his injuries. This was when Samson felt he needed to make a move on after the Royals easily replaced Samson with Riyan Parag in the captaincy role.
Sanju Samson's first game for CSK revealed
However, captaincy has never been what has fascinated Sanju Samson, as the batter is all set to play in the CSK camp under Ruturaj Gaikwad's leadership. However, Samson has been handed an assurance that he will open the innings for the CSK franchise.
"Sanju will keep wickets in the absence of Thala. The way he was welcomed in Chennai in our pre season event shows how much the fans love him," the CSK CEO said in an interview with RevSportz.
RevSportz reporter Rohit Juglan further confirmed that Sanju Samson just took a day off on Sunday, and he is fit and available to be picked for the game on Monday. Sanju will begin his IPL 2026 campaign against his former side, the Rajasthan Royals, whom he had once led to an IPL final.
Sanju just opted for rest yesterday - He will play today
— Rohit Juglan (@rohitjuglan) March 30, 2026
Will Kartik Sharma feature as MS Dhoni's replacement?
CSK also picked a young wicket-keeper in Kartik Sharma and would have had some great vision for the cricketer after he was acquired for a whopping price of INR 14.2 crores. This seemed too big a price for a domestic cricketer.
In MS Dhoni's absence, this young player will get an opportunity to star for the Chennai Super Kings. He will be subjected to that kind of insane love and respect from the CSK fans when he steps on the field.
CSK are, however, not starting their campaign at home at the iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium. Instead, they will play their first game against the Rajasthan Royals at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati.
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Sanju Samson IPL MS Dhoni Chennai Super Kings Rajasthan Royals CSK vs RR Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super KingsAbout the Author
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