Sanju Samson’s respect-first approach for CSK legend ends with a stunning twist – WATCH
NEW DELHI: Sanju Samson had an excellent ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, playing a key role in India’s title triumph. After an impressive campaign, the wicketkeeper-batsman is now focusing on a new challenge – the IPL – and that too with a new team, Chennai Super Kings.
Having represented Rajasthan Royals for over a decade, Samson will don CSK colors in IPL 2026 after being traded last year. The right-hander will also share the dressing room with the legendary MS Dhoni.
Recently, in an exhibition match between CSK veterans and current players, Samson faced the great Muttiah Muralitharan – a moment that fans found both special and emotional.
With Samson on the field, Dhoni behind the stumps and Muralitharan bowling, the atmosphere became electric with every delivery.
Samson defended Muralitharan’s first ball and then blocked the second as well. On the third delivery, he came off the track looking for a big shot but missed it completely, with Dhoni collecting the ball and almost performing a stumping.
The near dismissal was followed by a shared laugh between Samson and Dhoni, delighting the crowd.
Samson made sure he didn’t miss the next opportunity, as he came back strongly to smash Muralitharan for a big six.
After the match, Dhoni honored T20 World Cup winners Samson, Shivam Dube and U-19 World Cup winning captain Ayush Mhatre at a pre-season event for CSK fans at Chepauk. He presented special mementos as part of the celebrations.
India clinched the T20 World Cup 2026 title with a dominant 96-run win over the New Zealand national cricket team in the final in Ahmedabad. This was India’s third T20 World Cup title, having won it in 2007 and 2024.
Five-time champions CSK will begin their IPL 2026 campaign against Rajasthan Royals at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium on March 30.
CSK last won the IPL trophy in 2023 and had finished at the bottom of the points table last season.
