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 blockbuster trade deal with Rajasthan Royals (RR).
CSK will be the third IPL franchise Samson represents after Delhi Capitals and Rajasthan Royals. He added that Dhoni has always had a positive influence on him and said learning from the former India captain’s approach to the game would be a valuable opportunity.
“I’ve spoken to Mahi bhai a lot and have seen him on and off in the Indian team, but this will be the first time we’ll spend two months together, so there’s a lot of excitement,” Samson told PTI.
“Whenever he calls or speaks to me, there’s always a positive influence. But being with him in the same team 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,” Samson added.
SAMSON SHOWS HIS CLASS IN T20 WC 2026
Samson will head into IPL 2026 full of confidence after playing a pivotal role in India’s title-winning T20 World Cup 2026 campaign. He finished as the tournament’s third-highest run-scorer, 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 following a poor T20I series against New Zealand, Samson turned his fortunes around once he was restored as opener from the Super 8s onwards.
He struck 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’s Team of the Tournament.
