Fresh off a memorable campaign in the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, Indian wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson is now looking forward to a new chapter in the Indian Premier League 2026 — sharing the dressing room with legendary captain MS Dhoni at Chennai Super Kings. The Kerala star made headlines last year after moving from the Rajasthan Royals to the CSK in one of the biggest trades in IPL history.
The blockbuster deal involved a player swap, with Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran heading in opposite directions, while Samson joined the Chennai-based franchise on a ₹18 crore contract. With the new season approaching, CSK supporters are eagerly waiting to see the Indian wicketkeeper-batter in the iconic yellow jersey.
Following India’s T20 World Cup triumph, Samson has been attending several public events across the country. Speaking at a gathering in Thiruvananthapuram, he admitted he is excited about the opportunity to spend an extended period with Dhoni during the IPL season.
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“I have spoken with Mahi bhai a lot, have seen him on and off in the Indian team. But it’s going to be the first time that we spend two months together. There is very much excitement,” Sanju Samson told reporters.
He also highlighted how Dhoni’s presence has always had a positive influence on him.
“Whenever he calls or speaks to me, there is always a positive influence. But being there with him in the team for two months will have its benefits, and thinking about it makes me happy. Seeing and learning the way he approaches cricket is something I see as an opportunity,” he added.
VIDEO | Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala: “I have spoken to Mahi bhai over the phone and interacted with him, but playing with him as part of a team will be great. I see it as an opportunity to learn from him,” says Indian cricketer Sanju Samson on playing alongside Dhoni in CSK during… pic.twitter.com/gtVgQkRht6
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) March 16, 2026
Samson’s excitement comes after a remarkable personal milestone in the World Cup, where he was named Player of the Tournament. The right-hander scored 321 runs at a strike rate close to 200 in just five innings, playing a crucial role in India’s title-winning run. After missing the early matches, he delivered match-defining performances in the Super Eights clash against the West Indies, the semi-final against England and the final against New Zealand.
Reflecting on the achievement at the BCCI Naman Awards in New Delhi, Samson spoke about the unpredictable journey of his career.
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“I think you can only dream where you want to go, but you can’t definitely ride the path towards it. So my life or my career has been one of the best examples. I definitely wanted to do this a couple of years ago,” he said. “I want to win a World Cup for my country, but it had its own plan, its own script. But more like a movie. I enjoyed it.”
