As the excitement for the Indian Premier League (IPL) builds up with its opening on March 28, former Indian cricket star Anil Kumble has voiced strong support for Sanju Samson’s addition to the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), calling it a “fantastic decision.” Kumble remarked, “The legacy of Indian cricket has seen a smooth transition of icons from Sunil Gavaskar to Sachin Tendulkar, then to Virat Kohli, with MS Dhoni being a pivotal figure. Players like Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly set the stage for this evolution. Sanju’s entry into CSK signifies a significant step, especially with his recent outstanding performances, including leading India to a World Cup victory with three consecutive stellar innings.” Kumble further highlighted that Samson’s role as a wicketkeeper-batsman aligns him closely with Dhoni’s legacy within the franchise. “His presence is sure to enhance CSK’s fan engagement. Being from Kerala and fluent in Tamil, he resonates well with the local audience. He brings a similar skill set to MS Dhoni, and his experience is bound to be invaluable for the team,” Kumble added. CSK is set to launch its IPL 2026 journey against the Rajasthan Royals (RR) on March 30 at the Assam Cricket Association Stadium in Guwahati.
