Watch: MS Dhoni and Sanju Samson's candid chat during CSK training ahead of IPL 2026
MS Dhoni and Sanju Samson share a special moment during CSK training ahead of IPL 2026 as the team prepares for a fresh season.
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Chennai Super Kings (CSK) veteran MS Dhoni was seen having a friendly chat with Sanju Samson during a training session ahead of IPL 2026. The 19th season of the tournament will begin on March 28, and teams have already started preparations. On Friday, March 20, CSK shared a video on social media showing the two players talking casually during practice.
In the video, Sanju Samson is seen speaking about how special this moment is for him. He said, "After that, we used to meet at the IPL and there used to be a huge crowd in front of the stadium. There were 5-10 people here and 5-10 people there. I used to think that this is not enough. I have to see it alone. I had such a desire. Destiny has got me to come and play with him in one dressing room. Like that couple of months, I am very very excited. Definitely very genuinely excited to meet him and interact with him. Sit, have breakfast with him, practice with him, play match with him, move out. Just thinking about it makes me very happy."
This is even more special as Samson has now signed for CSK ahead of IPL 2026. Having played for more than a decade for Rajasthan Royals, this is a new beginning for him in Chennai. The trade-off for this signing saw Rajasthan Royals sign Sam Curran and Ravindra Jadeja in return.
Sanju Samson begins new journey with Chennai Super Kings
Sanju Samson is set to join the IPL 2026 after a great run for the Indian team. He played a pivotal role in India’s T20 World Cup 2026 triumph and was awarded the Player of the Tournament. His experience and form makes him a crucial inclusion in the CSK squad this year.
Watch the video here
This will be Samson’s first season with CSK after playing 11 seasons for Rajasthan Royals. He has played 176 IPL matches and scored 4,704 runs at an average of 30.75 and a strike rate of 139.05. His record includes 26 fifties and three centuries, with a highest score of 119.
CSK gear up for IPL 2026 with strong squad and fixtures
Chennai Super Kings prepare for IPL 2026 with a powerful and more balanced lineup after a disappointing 2025. They have included Sanju Samson to add firepower to their batting, in addition to players such as Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shivam Dube, and MS Dhoni. CSK will begin their tournament against Rajasthan Royals on March 30 at Guwahati, followed by matches against Punjab Kings, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and Delhi Capitals.
Ruturaj Gaikwad will be the skipper of CSK in IPL 2026 and MS Dhoni will play a significant role as a senior player. Captain cool has scored 5439 runs for his team in 278 matches, and his average is 39.23, with strike rate of 137.45. His experience will help guide the team throughout the season. Chennai Super Kings will look to bounce back and fight hard for yet another IPL title, with better planning and new players in the line-up.
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