Sanju Samson and MS Dhoni (BCCI/IPL Photo) Chennai Super Kings will enter the upcoming Indian Premier League 2026 season with hopes of securing a record sixth IPL title. The five-time champions have strengthened their squad with the arrival of Sanju Samson and former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan believes Dhoni’s support and Samson’s help could play a vital role in CSK’s campaign.
Irfan Pathan: Samson’s presence will ease the pressure on Ruturaj Gaikwad
Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan shared his views and explained how Samson’s arrival could benefit CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad.
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“Sanju Samson’s arrival in CSK will allow captain Ruturaji Gaikwad to express himself a bit more. We have seen him grow as a leader. It is not easy to lead in the IPL while carrying on the legacy of MS Dhoni. That is one of the hardest things you can do in your career. But the support of Dhoni along with the help that Sanju Samson brings,” said Pathan.Pathan also pointed out that CSK seem to be moving away from their traditional strategy of relying heavily on experienced players.“Looking at the team and imagining the playing combination are two different things. CSK’s success mantra in the past was to rely on experienced players. Now they have changed their approach and are going for younger, less experienced players. They are also building for the future,” he added.He also expressed excitement about the young talent in the team, including Dewald Brevis, Urvil Patel, Shivam Dube and Sarfaraz Khan.
Piyush Chawla supports Samson’s aggressive batting
Chawla also described Samson as a natural match winner who has silenced his critics with impressive performances in recent matches. “Sanju Samson is a match winner in his own right. He proved his doubters wrong with three knocks against West Indies, England and New Zealand in the T20 World Cup. CSK will be very happy with his form as Samson peaked just before the start of the IPL. This is great news for their fans,” Chawla said.He further added that the pitch conditions in Chennai could help Samson flourish at the top of the order.“When we come to Chennai, the way the wicket is played there will definitely suit his game. His aggressive style after opening the innings will benefit CSK a lot.”Samson could solve CSK’s opening woesThe former spinner also highlighted how CSK struggled with quick starts in the previous IPL season.“They struggled to get off to quick starts last season. It was only after Ayush Mhatre arrived that CSK started scoring runs in the Powerplay. Now that Samson is in, their opening problems will finally be solved. They need that experienced opener alongside Ayush Mhatre. Samson’s trade move to CSK will be a blockbuster,” said Chawla.
CSK are aiming for a record sixth IPL title
After finishing bottom of the table last season, CSK will be eager for a strong bounce back in IPL 2026. With a refreshed squad and Samson’s attacking presence at the top of the order, the Chennai franchise will be hoping to rediscover their winning formula and mount a strong challenge for the title.
