Watch: ‘Keeping away my…’- Sanju Samson reacts to playing in Chennai ahead of IPL 2026

When India’s captain, Suryakumar Yadav, confirmed that Sanju Samson would be part of the playing XI for their second Super 8 clash against Zimbabwe at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, there was a massive roar from the crowd, and the same picture would take place a few weeks later when he would take the field for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the IPL 2026.

Sanju Samson smacked the very second ball of the opening over against Richard Ngarva over the straight boundary for a six before cutting the pacer in the third-man region for a streaky boundary. His innings didn’t go well as the Kerala batter returned to the pavilion for 24 runs in 15 balls with the help of two sixes and one boundary.

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“Yeah, very much (looking forward to it). I think, I have been, I think, very excited, but I have tried to keep the excitement away. I think this is more important now, even though I really value that moment. But this time, I think I need to be here and remain totally committed.” Samson said in a video after the game.

Sanju Samson excited to play in Chennai ahead of IPL 2026

Samson has overall smashed 4704 runs in 172 innings at an average of 30.94 and a strike rate of 139.04, with the help of three centuries and 26 half-centuries at the best score of 119 runs. In the previous season, the right-handed batter smashed 285 runs in nine innings at an average of 35.62 and a strike rate of 140.39, scoring one fifty.

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Samson has been in flying colors in the shortest format. The opener has overall pocketed 8125 runs in 310 innings of the T20s at an average of 29.65 and a strike rate of 137.10, thanks to six centuries and 51 half-centuries at the best score of 119 runs.

Samson is expected to open the batting with Ayush Mhatre, with their captain, Ruturaj Gaikwad, dropping him down at number three, having incredible skill against the spinners. Meanwhile, they will have Dewald Brevis in the middle order.