IPL 2026: Can Sanju Samson carry his T20 World Cup form and evolved approach into a successful IPL season?
In the span of just a week, Sanju Samson’s cricketing career turned into a fairytale. He struck three fifties to win three knockout matches and helped India clinch the 2026 T20 World Cup title.
Now, he will be the hottest property in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 when he turns up for his new team, Chennai Super Kings (CSK). The five-time champions will thank their stars that Samson found form at the right time, especially after taking a big gamble – trading Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran to bring him in from the Rajasthan Royals (RR).
Samson was previously leading the Royals, but he said he “felt my time in the team was over. Even if we come up against them now, I will play my best cricket.” He also added that he won’t “let emotions rule me on the field” when CSK take on RR on March 30.
It is this character that made CSK punt on Samson, who has for years struggled to get his place in the sun but has never given up. It is that never-say-die attitude that saw him come off the bench and stitch together India’s winning campaign in the World T20.
Gamble or shrewd strategy?
CSK’s decision to bring Samson into the squad has a lot to do with finding the right balance and building a mix of youth and experience in the XI. Known for his calm approach under pressure, he can provide the assurance CSK need at the top of the order. Samson can open, bat at No. 3, or even slot into the middle order.
Whatever role CSK assign him, they can be assured that when the Kerala batter is at the crease, the game will be under control. If he opens with Ayush Mhatre or Ruturaj Gaikwad, he can provide strong starts. And if he bats at No. 3 or No. 4, he has the ability to adapt to the situation and keep the momentum in the team’s favour.
Besides, CSK have tweaked their approach by backing young batters over veterans in the XI, with youngsters like Mhatre and Dewald Brevis coming good last season. In that context, having an experienced batter like Samson at the top becomes even more valuable, as he can guide the youngsters through tough phases of the game.
With Dhoni set to bat lower down at No. 7 or No. 8, Samson’s presence at the top will allow the young batting unit to play around him and maintain momentum, rather than letting inexperience undo the good work done earlier.
Read More: IPL 2026: With Ruturaj to captain & Samson likely to keep, what will be Dhoni’s role in CSK?
Prized catch or Dhoni’s replacement?
Hence, CSK have made a smart move in bringing Samson into the squad. His newfound success also bodes well for the team, who will hope he continues his rich vein of form in IPL 2026.
CSK have also backed Samson as a potential backup to Dhoni behind the stumps. With age catching up, Dhoni may not always be a regular wicketkeeper, and Samson could don the gloves when needed, while Dhoni contributes strategically with bowling and field placements, and as a finisher with the bat.
Besides, Samson brings valuable captaincy experience from his stint as the Royals’ skipper. He could provide crucial support to regular captain Gaikwad, especially in pressure situations in the middle overs.
Samson: Winning games topmost
But for Samson, playing for CSK presents an opportunity to learn from Dhoni and contribute to the team’s success. “I am not going to CSK to become head or tail over there. There is only one head and it is MS Dhoni. I want to repay the trust Mahi bhai and the management has shown in me by winning games for CSK,” he said.
CSK, in turn, are banking on Samson and will hope their gamble pays off. The signs are promising, with Samson set to begin his IPL campaign for CSK on the back of three successive match-winning fifties.
Kerala’s great hope
Samson’s story isn’t just his own, it is also that of the 35 million people supporting him from his home state of Kerala. The southern state, without a home franchise since the short-lived Kochi Tuskers Kerala in the 2011 IPL season, had embraced the Rajasthan Royals because of their beloved ‘Chetta’ (as Samson is popularly called). Now, his resurgence feels personal for an entire region that has waited long for a moment like this.
Every fan who hoped for his return now sees that faith rewarded. For a cricket-loving state that lacked a consistent national figure after S Sreesanth, Samson became a symbol of belonging on India’s cricketing map. His journey, marked by setbacks and comebacks, mirrors the resilience of the people who stood by him.
Even Shashi Tharoor, a key figure in the state’s politics, echoed that sentiment in a recent interaction with the Press Trust of India (PTI), calling Samson a “terrific success” while also reflecting on his journey. “This is a guy who had to take a fair bit of unfairness. And yes, some of his exclusions were justified because he’d also been inconsistent. But three innings in a row in the World Cup? That’s consistency for you. And, I would love to see him continue to perform on the big stage both in ODIs and one day I hope in a Test Match too because that’s the kind of talent that deserves fullest expression in every form of the game,” Tharoor said.
In many ways, Samson’s rise now is more than just a return to form; it is a shared triumph. As he steps into this new chapter with CSK, he carries with him the hopes of a state that never stopped believing.
Read More: Sanju Samson turns the page – India’s MVP in knock out games
