![Sanju Samson and MS Dhoni in action for CSK [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1784956640542_SanjuSamsonMSDhoni.jpg?type=hq)
Sanju Samson and MS Dhoni in action for CSK [Source: AFP]
Sanju Samson’s trade to the Chennai Super Kings was the biggest talking point in the lead-up to IPL 2026, with the stalwart Ravindra Jadeja moving to his old IPL side, Rajasthan Royals.
Following the move, Samson is considered a long-term replacement for MS Dhoni — both behind the wickets and as a leader. However, it was not smooth sailing for Samson in the early part of the season, as he kicked off the campaign with 6, 7 and 9 runs in the first three matches.
Regardless of this poor start, the newest CSK signing finished the season as their leading run scorer, and Samson later revealed how a conversation with MS Dhoni helped him bounce back.
Samson opens up on MS Dhoni’s advice during IPL 2026
In the lead-up to IPL 2026, Sanju Samson had just won the Player of the Tournament in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, thanks to his blockbuster finish to the tournament, scoring 321 runs at a strike rate of 199.38 and an average of 80.25. So, the expectations were high, but the torrid start saw him get a backlash from the fans.
Speaking to JioSstar about the start of the IPL season, which also saw CSK losing three matches in a row, Samson revealed speaking to MS Dhoni ahead of the fourth match. He told how Dhoni calmed him down on the bus, and he scored a century in the next match itself.
“I still remember, Mahi bhai met me after the first three matches when we went for practice. I usually sit behind him, facing him. So, we sat down, and he looked at me and asked if I was fine. I said, ‘Bhaiya, I am fine.’ Then I kept saying ‘but’ and ‘yes’ without even realising it,” he told.
“Then he told me, ‘Don’t get into but. Just focus on doing what you do the best. Everything will be alright.’”
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Sanju Samson’s IPL 2026
While Samson struggled in the beginning of the season, which, in turn, affected the team's performance, he managed to bounce back and finished the competition as their top run-getter.
In 14 matches played, he scored 477 runs at a strike rate of 165.62 with two centuries and a fifty. While some would argue he could have done better than this, the next best scorer of the team was Ruturaj Gaikwad, with 337 runs at a strike rate of a really low 123.44 with two fifties.
CSK’s turbulent IPL 2026
The five-time IPL winners, CSK, last won the IPL in 2023, defeating the Gujarat Titans in the final. Since then, they have not been able to finish in the top-4 to compete for the trophy, which is the opposite of their reputation as an institution.
In the last three seasons, including 2026, they have finished 5th, 10th and 8th. In IPL 2026, they won 6 and lost 8 of their 14 matches under Ruturaj Gaikwad. Notably, MS Dhoni did not play a single match due to fitness issues.
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