Sanju Samson said he is eager to spend time with MS Dhoni during his stint with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in IPL 2026. Ahead of last season’s auction, the five-time champions secured Samson for Rs 18 crore in a successful trade deal with Rajasthan Royals (RR).
CSK will be the third IPL franchise that Samson represents after Delhi Capitals and Rajasthan Royals. He added that Dhoni has always been a positive influence on him and said learning from the former Indian captain’s approach to the game would be a valuable opportunity.
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“I have spoken to Mahi bhai a lot and seen him in the Indian team, but this will be the first time we spend two months together, so there is a lot of excitement,” Samson told PTI.
“Whenever he calls me or talks to me, it’s always a positive influence. But being in the same team with him for two months will definitely have its benefits and just thinking about it makes me happy. Watching and learning from the way he approaches the game is something I see as a great opportunity,” added Samson.
SAMSON SHOWS HIS CLASS AT T20 WC 2026
Samson will then head into IPL 2026 full of confidence playing a key role in India’s T20 World Cup 2026 title win campaign. He finished as the third highest run-scorer in the tournament, amassing 321 runs in five matches at an average of 80.25 and a strike rate of 199.37.
After struggling for his place in the XI after a poor T20I series against New Zealand, Samson turned his fortunes around once he was reinstated as an opener from the Super 8s onwards.
He made an unbeaten 97 against the West Indies, followed it up with 89 against England in the semi-final at the Wankhede Stadium and then made another 89 in the final against New Zealand. His outstanding performances earned him the Player of the Tournament award, while he was also named in the ICC Team of the Tournament.
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Issued by:
sabyasachi chowdhury
Published on:
16 Mar 2026 18:48 IST
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