Chennai Super Kings Announce New Opening Pair for IPL 2026

Chennai Super Kings captain Ruturaj Gaikwad has confirmed a new opening batting partnership with Sanju Samson for IPL 2026. This announcement comes as the team looks to recover from a disappointing last season. Samson, who recently excelled in the ICC T20 World Cup, joins CSK after a successful stint with Rajasthan Royals. With a revamped squad, CSK aims for a record sixth title, starting their campaign against Rajasthan Royals on March 30. Read on for more details about the team's lineup and expectations for the upcoming season.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 26, 2026, 12:02 IST

CSK's New Opening Combination

Ruturaj Gaikwad, the captain of Chennai Super Kings, has officially announced that he will be partnering with star wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson as the opening duo for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season, which kicks off on March 28. Gaikwad made this revelation during the 'Captains Day' event following an all-captain meeting with the BCCI in Mumbai on Wednesday.

Samson's Stellar Form

In response to a query about the opening partnership for CSK, Ruturaj simply stated, "Rutu and Sanju," confirming the new batting combination for IPL 2026. This season marks Samson's debut with CSK after his transfer from the Rajasthan Royals, where he had a remarkable 11-season tenure. Recently, he was honored as the Player of the Tournament in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, where India triumphed over New Zealand in the final. The 31-year-old has been in exceptional form, scoring 321 runs in just five innings, boasting an average exceeding 80 and a strike rate close to 200. Over his IPL career, he has accumulated 4704 runs across 177 matches, including three centuries and 26 half-centuries.

CSK's Redemption Hopes for IPL 2026

After a disappointing last season where they finished at the bottom of the points table, the Ruturaj Gaikwad-led team is looking to bounce back. They have strengthened their squad during the mini-auction and are optimistic about clinching a record sixth title this year. CSK will commence their season on March 30 against the inaugural champions, Rajasthan Royals, in Guwahati.

Chennai Super Kings Full Squad for IPL 2026

The complete squad for Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2026 includes: Anshul Kamboj, Gurjapneet Singh, Jamie Overton, MS Dhoni, Mukesh Choudhary, Spencer Johnson, Noor Ahmad, Ramakrishna Ghosh, Sanju Samson, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shivam Dube, Shreyas Gopal, Syed Khaleel Ahmed, Ayush Mhatre, Dewald Brevis, Urvil Patel, Sarfaraz Khan (Rs 75 lakh), Kartik Sharma (Rs 14.20 Cr), Prashant Veer (Rs 14.20 Cr), Matthew Short (Rs 1.50 Cr), Aman Khan (Rs 40 lakh), Zak Foulkes (Rs 75 lakh), Akeal Hosein (Rs 2 Cr), Rahul Chahar (INR 5.2 Cr), and Matt Henry (Rs 2 Cr).