As the excitement builds for the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL), set to kick off on March 28, fans eagerly await the first matches, with only the opening 20 fixtures announced due to ongoing state elections. The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will launch their season with a match against the Rajasthan Royals (RR) on March 30 at the Assam Cricket Association Stadium in Guwahati.
Former Indian cricketer Piyush Chawla recently praised Sanju Samson, labeling him a ‘match-winner.’ He noted, ‘Sanju Samson has consistently proven his critics wrong, delivering three significant performances against West Indies, England, and New Zealand during the T20 World Cup.’
Chawla believes that Samson’s form right before the IPL is a significant boost for CSK fans. ‘His peak performance is excellent news for CSK. The playing conditions in Chennai will suit his aggressive style, especially if he opens the innings, which can greatly benefit the team.’
He further elaborated on how Samson’s addition could address CSK’s previous struggles with their opening pair. ‘Last season, they faced challenges in getting off to quick starts. It wasn’t until Ayush Mhatre joined that they began scoring effectively during the Powerplay. Now, with Samson on board, their opening woes should be resolved. His experience alongside Mhatre will be crucial. This trade is a game-changer for CSK,’ Chawla emphasized.
After a disappointing last season where Ruturaj Gaikwad’s team finished at the bottom of the points table, CSK has regrouped and strengthened their squad in the mini-auction, aiming for a historic sixth title this year.
IPL 2026, Chennai Super Kings: Full squad includes Ruturaj Gaikwad, MS Dhoni, Sanju Samson, Dewald Brevis, Ayush Mhatre, Kartik Sharma, Sarfaraz Khan, Urvil Patel, Anshul Kamboj, Jamie Overton, Ramakrishna Ghosh, Prashant Veer, Matthew Short, Aman Khan, Zak Foulkes, Shivam Dube, Khaleel Ahmed, Noor Ahmad, Mukesh Choudhary, Nathan Ellis, Shreyas Gopal, Gurjapneet Singh, Akeal Hosein, Matt Henry, Rahul Chahar.
(With ANI Inputs)