There was a touch of nostalgia and pure entertainment at Chepauk as MS Dhoni watched a fascinating mini duel unfold between Sanju Samson and Muttiah Muralitharan during Chennai Super Kings’ pre-season event on March 22. The light-hearted contest quickly became one of the standout moments of the evening.

Samson, fresh off a sensational T20 World Cup campaign where he scored 321 runs in five matches and earned Player of the Tournament honours, is gearing up for a new chapter with Chennai Super Kings after spending over a decade with Rajasthan Royals. Naturally, all eyes were on him during the session.

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The franchise had assembled some of its biggest icons, including Matthew Hayden, Dwayne Bravo and Muralitharan, for a series of fun on-field match-ups. While other contests entertained the crowd, the contest between Murali and Samson truly grabbed attention.

Sanju Samson batting against Muttiah Muralitharan.🔥

Sanju tries to step out and play a shot but misses. On the next ball too, he fails to connect, but on the last ball, he hits a six.😂🔥 pic.twitter.com/FQi4vOHs27

— 𝐑𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐢𝐢⁴⁵ (@rushiii_12) March 22, 2026

The Sri Lankan legend began with a few gentle deliveries, allowing Samson to settle. But it didn’t take long for Muralitharan to showcase his timeless craft. Mixing flight and pace brilliantly, he slipped in a quicker delivery that deceived Samson completely. Attempting an aggressive charge down the track, Samson missed the ball, only for Dhoni to complete a sharp stumping behind the wickets—drawing loud cheers from the crowd.

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Moments like these highlighted the blend of past and present that defines CSK’s culture. The event also carried emotional weight, with the franchise inducting Suresh Raina and Hayden into its inaugural Hall of Fame, celebrating their immense contributions to the team’s legacy.