Sanju Samson MS Dhoni and Ambati Rayudu [Source: AFP]Chennai Super Kings have built a strong legacy in the IPL since 2008, with wicket-keeping playing a central role in their core lineups. The franchise’s glovesmen have contributed behind the stumps with with their skills, helping secure multiple titles across different eras. At the forefront stands MS Dhoni, ‘Thala’, the undisputed primary wicketkeeper whose leadership defines CSK’s success. Supporting him over the years have been versatile other backups. From early title wins to recent transitions, their efforts have strengthened squad depth. Hence, apart from the undisputed leader, let’s take a look at all the wicketkeepers who played for Chennai Super Kings in IPL till 2026. 1. MS Dhoni MS Dhoni’s tenure as the primary wicketkeeper for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) spans from the league's inception in 2008 to the present day, with a gap in 2016–2017. As of March 2026, he is the only wicketkeeper in IPL history to effect more than 200 dismissals. In the early phase, Dhoni was the most expensive player in the inaugural auction, serving as captain and first-choice keeper while leading CSK to titles in 2010 and 2011. During the franchise suspension in 2016–2017, he played for Rising Pune Supergiant. On his return from 2018 to 2023, he guided the team to three more titles in 2018, 2021, and 2023, remaining the designated keeper renowned for lightning-quick stumpings, 47 across his IPL career. Currently in 2026 he has been ruled out of the first two weeks of IPL 2026, however, will be back soon after nursing the calf injury. 2. Parthiv Patel Parthiv Patel played for CSK from 2008 to 2010, primarily as an opening batter rather than a designated wicketkeeper. As MS Dhoni was the captain and primary wicketkeeper, Patel’s role behind the stumps was limited to occasional appearances. In the 2008 season, he was a regular in the XI, forming a “little and large” opening partnership with Matthew Hayden and scoring 302 runs in 13 matches with two half-centuries. His game time was reduced in 2009–2010 as other openers emerged; in 2010, he featured in only four matches but scored a vital half-century of 57. In 26 matches for CSK, Patel scored 516 runs with a highest of 57 and three half-centuries, recording nine catches and two stumpings. He was part of the squad that won CSK’s first IPL title in 2010. His three seasons with CSK marked his longest continuous stint with any single franchise early in his IPL career. Also Read- Who Is Brijesh Sharma? Jammu And Kashmir-Born Pacer Making IPL Debut For Rajasthan Royals3. Wriddhiman Saha Wriddhiman Saha played for CSK from 2011 to 2013. Again, because of MS Dhoni, Saha's role was primarily that of a reserve wicketkeeper and specialist middle-order batter. Picked by CSK in the 2011 auction for a three-season stint, he rarely donned the wicketkeeping gloves because Dhoni kept wickets in almost every game. In the 2011 season, he featured in seven matches, often as a pure batter, and was part of the squad that won the IPL 2011 title. His appearances stayed limited, with only four matches in 2012 and three in 2013, where he was mainly used as a substitute fielder or injury cover. Across 14 matches, Saha scored 144 runs at a strike rate of 109.92, with a highest score of 46 not out. 4. Ambati Rayudu Ambati Rayudu played for the Yellow Army from 2018 to 2023. While primarily a specialist batter, he served as a reserve wicketkeeper and donned the gloves on specific occasions when MS Dhoni was unavailable. He became a mainstay in the batting order, scoring 602 runs in his debut 2018 season. His most notable stint behind the stumps came in the 2019 season during a home game against the Mumbai Indians at Chepauk, where he took over wicketkeeping duties because Dhoni was sidelined with a fever. In 90 matches, Rayudu scored 1,932 runs at a batting average of 30 (apprx), with two dismissals as a keeper and 31 total catches as a fielder or keeper. He won three IPL titles with CSK in 2018, 2021, and 2023. 5. Sam Billings Sam Billings appeared for CSK during the 2018 and 2019 seasons. Bought for ₹1 crore in 2018, Billings made an immediate impact by scoring a match-winning 56 off 23 balls against Kolkata Knight Riders in a high-pressure chase. He played 10 matches that season but struggled for consistency thereafter, eventually losing his spot to Faf du Plessis toward the end of the tournament. In the 2019 season, he was retained but featured in only one match against Sunrisers Hyderabad, where he scored a duck. He was released by the franchise ahead of the 2020 auction. Billings did not perform any wicketkeeping duties for CSK, serving instead as the backup keeper to MS Dhoni. In 11 matches, he scored 108 runs with a highest of 56 at a strike rate of 138.46 and took two catches as a fielder. He was part of the squad that won the IPL 2018 title, though he did not feature in the final. 6. Sanju Samson Sanju Samson, the star trade ahead of IPL 2026 with Ravindra Jadeja, has recently joined CSK. He made his debut for the franchise in their opening match against his former team, the Rajasthan Royals, on March 30, 2026. Due to MS Dhoni being sidelined for the first two weeks of the 2026 season with a calf strain, Samson has been officially confirmed by CSK CEO Kasi Vishwanathan as the team’s primary wicketkeeper for the initial matches. Beyond the current injury-forced vacancy, Samson is viewed by the management as a long-term successor to Dhoni behind the stumps. As a former captain of the Rajasthan Royals, Sanju Samson brings significant tactical experience to support the current CSK captain, Ruturaj Gaikwad. While he is just beginning his journey with CSK, Samson’s overall IPL career statistics as a wicketkeeper-batter stand at 177-plus matches, 4,700+ runs, 86 catches as a wicketkeeper or fielder, and 17 stumpings. Also Read- List Of Pakistan Players Who Have Been Involved In Ball Tampering
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