India’s T20 World Cup hero, Sanju Samson, revealed his massive new role for Chennai Super Kings ahead of the IPL 2026. Many questions have been raised over who will be behind the wickets for CSK in IPL 2026.
The Chennai Super Kings have been hunting for a playoff spot over the last two seasons, as their last such appearance came in 2023, when they won their final title under MS Dhoni’s leadership. That was the fifth title for the Super Kings.
After that season, CSK passed the baton of leadership from MS Dhoni to youngster Ruturaj Gaikwad. Gaikwad has been backed through these two seasons by the legendary MS Dhoni and now he is seemingly coming out of his shadow.
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Sanju Samson hints at swapping roles with MS Dhoni at CSK
Sanju Samson moved from Rajasthan Royals to Chennai Super Kings as a trade featuring Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran. CSK released their most veteran all-rounder for Samson, which proves how desperately they wanted to acquire the Indian opening batter.
Sanju Samson was also considered as a backup for captaincy options if Gaikwad is injured or fails to commit to the captaincy role. Samson has captained the Royals in the IPL and led them to the finals in 2022.
A photo of Samson with MS Dhoni has been decoded as Samson taking over the wickets keeping duties from Dhoni by Indian fans. This is a possibility for the upcoming season with no confirmation from the CSK management yet.
Thala 🤝 Chetta #ipl2026 #csk pic.twitter.com/14ipcySQSx
— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) March 23, 2026
Will MS Dhoni be used as an Impact player?
With Sanju Samson in the side, who is not known as a great fielding option, he would be most likely to take the gloves. With Samson behind the stumps, Dhoni would be of no use on the field as at 45 he would not be the swiftest of fielders.
Secondly, Sanju Samson opens the innings hence he would have to be given some idea of the track and the conditions before the batting innings. This implies that Dhoni can be bought in as the impact player when CSK need him lower down the order.
Moreover, the speculations regarding this being Dhoni’s final season in the IPL, it is understood that the veteran would keep himself a little off and hand responsibilities to other players who will be part of the franchise in the longrun.
How will CSK fit Kartik Sharma in their playing XI?
The Super Kings alongside Sanju Samson and Dhoni also picked Kartik Sharma the young wicket keeper batter for a whopping price of INR 14.20 crores in the auction.
The decision seemed mindless from the auction itself, since the big hitting wicket keeper is relatively inexperienced and would find it tough to make it to the CSK XI.
However, Stephen Fleming might consider him to finish the innings alongside the likes of Shivam Dube, Prashant Veer and Jamie Overton. Under such a scenario Dhoni might not be used as an impact players and rather a player who can be effective with the ball should be kept in reserves for the sub.
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