Skipper Gaikwad, Samson set to form CSK's opening pair in IPL 2026
Mumbai, March 26
Chennai Super Kings captain Ruturaj Gaikwad dropped a hint about the team's opening combination for the Indian Premier League edition, revealing he, along with wicketkeeper batter Sanju Samson, will open the innings in IPL 2026.
CSK who had a dismal campaign last year and their top order was a major weakness. They had tried multiple combinations, but all led to disaster. The five-time winners then tried Ayush Mhatre at the top, and he provided some brisk starts. But with CSK roping in Sanju Samson for IPL 2026, the franchise opted to go in with an experienced pair.
During the IPL 2026 captain's meet in Mumbai, Gaikwad was asked about CSK's opening combination, and the skipper confirmed that he will return to the top of the order, partnering with newly added member in Samson
Samson was traded in from Rajasthan Royals to CSK ahead of the auction in a major move as the five-time champions traded out Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran to RR.
Last year, CSK had struggled to find stability at the top. Gaikwad himself batted at No. 3 for a large part of the season, while the team rotated between Rachin Ravindra, Devon Conway and Rahul Tripathi as openers. No combination worked for CSK until youngsters Ayush Mhatre and Dewald Brevis came as replacements and gave the team some much-needed aggression in the powerplay.
Joining as a replacement player last season, Mhatre amassed 240 runs in seven innings, averaging 34.28 at a striking rate of 188.97, including a standout 94 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), while Brevis scored 225 runs in six innings at the strike rate of 180.
CSK will begin their IPL 2026 campaign against Rajasthan Royals at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati on March 30.
Their first match at home in Chennai will be on April 3 against Punjab Kings, before their next game against the Delhi Capitals on April 11 at M.A Chidambaram Stadium.
— IANS
Reader Comments
As a CSK fan from Chennai, I'm excited but also nervous. Trading Jadeja and Curran for Samson is a huge gamble. Samson is brilliant on his day, but we need consistency at the top. Hope Thala's (Dhoni's) guidance works its magic! 💛
Good move. Experience is key in pressure games. Two Indian captains opening the innings for CSK sounds solid. But the real question is the middle order now. Who will finish games? We lost two big all-rounders.
Respectfully, I think this is a mistake. Mhatre's strike rate was nearly 190! He brought the X-factor. Sticking only with "experienced" names is how teams become slow and predictable. CSK needs to back youth. 🤔
Interesting strategy. Samson has the ability to take on the bowling from ball one. If he and Ruturaj can give quick 50-60 run stands regularly, it sets a perfect platform. Can't wait for the season to start!
The first match is against RR! Samson facing his old team in the very first game... scriptwriters are already busy 😄. Jokes aside, hope he gets a warm welcome in Chennai. Whistle Podu ready!
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