Chennai Super Kings could be moving closer to a much-awaited transition phase as MS Dhoni will miss the opening weeks of IPL 2026 and Sanju Samson will step in behind the stumps. CEO Kashi Vishwanathan’s recent comments have only added to the growing buzz around a potential shift within the franchise.
Dhoni, ruled out of the first two weeks due to a calf strain, he will miss the opening games of the season, which will force ČSK to make early adjustments. Speaking to RevSportz, Vishwanathan confirmed that Samson will take over the wicket duties in Dhoni’s absence, hinting at a possible glimpse into the future structure of the team.
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“See, of course Sanju will be retained as his MS Dhoni will not be playing. Sanju’s form is great and he is also knocking well in the nets. So we hope that he will make the impact that CSK is looking for during the current season. Of course we have Ruturaj who is also capable of taking the team to a higher level and his captain Vwanathan is certainly one.
“As for Sanju, we don’t want to put any pressure on him because we know his abilities. I haven’t spent much time talking to Sanju because I only met him a few days ago and I would never disturb him during training. I am very confident that Sanju with his abilities and form will be a great bet for us,” he added.
Development comes in the middle growing speculation about Dhoni’s future. Having already left the captaincy to take on a limited role on the pitch for the past few seasons, the 44-year-old has gradually morphed into a situational finisher rather than a permanent presence in the playing XI.
Samson’s arrival from Rajasthan Royals, in a high-profile deal that also included Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran, has already sparked talks of succession planning. Fresh from an excellent T20 World Cup 2026 campaign where he emerged as player of the tournament, Samson now finds himself at the center of CSK’s evolving set-up.
With Ruturaj Gaikwad at the helm of the side, CSK seem to be building a new core while still relying on Dhoni’s experience in the background. The upcoming clash against his former team Rajasthan Royals adds another layer of intrigue to Samson’s new role.
IS CSK READY FOR LIFE WITHOUT DHONI?
But the bigger question goes beyond just a few games.
Dhoni’s impact on CSK was never limited to numbers alone. Over 278 matches and more than 5,400 runs, he was a central figure in shaping the franchise’s identity, guiding it to five IPL titles and instilling a sense of calm in high-pressure situations.
But over the past few seasons, signs of transition have been evident. The impact player rule reduced his involvement while his batting role was pushed further down the order. His appearances have become more strategic, often limited to late cameos rather than match-defining innings.
IPL 2025 further highlighted the need for change as CSK endured a tough campaign and finished at the bottom of the table. The current season therefore represents more than just a fresh start – it could be a testing ground for life outside of Dhoni.
Samson offers a long-term solution with the gloves, but replacing Dhoni’s leadership, game awareness and presence is much more difficult. It is not about filling a position, but about redistributing responsibility across XI.
For now, Dhoni’s absence due to injury gives CSK a short window to experiment. Whether this develops into a full transition or remains just a temporary adjustment will depend on how the team performs in these early games.
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Issued by:
Debodinna Chakraborty
Published on:
30 Mar 2026 11:56 IST
