Sanju Samson Faces Muttiah Muralitharan in a Fun Cricket Encounter Ahead of IPL 2026

In a delightful pre-IPL 2026 event, Sanju Samson faced off against legendary spinner Muttiah Muralitharan, turning a friendly match into a memorable display of respect and entertainment. The crowd was treated to a playful exchange, culminating in Samson hitting a six after initially missing two deliveries. With his recent T20 World Cup success, Samson aims to replicate his performance in the upcoming IPL season. This encounter not only highlighted the spirit of cricket but also showcased the camaraderie between past and present players.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 23, 2026, 17:10 IST

Exciting Showdown Between Samson and Muralitharan

Following the recent success at the T20 World Cup, expectations were high for Sanju Samson during a friendly match against legendary spinner Muthiah Muralitharan. The event, organized by the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) ahead of IPL 2026, featured cricket icons like Matthew Hayden and Dwayne Bravo, who entertained the audience with their skills. However, the highlight was undoubtedly the duel between Samson and Muralitharan, which captivated the crowd.

In the initial deliveries, Samson appeared to be warming up, defending the ball from the back foot. As the contest progressed, he attempted to step out and hit Muralitharan for six, but missed the first two balls significantly. MS Dhoni, behind the stumps, watched with amusement, choosing not to stump Samson during this playful exchange.

Samson vs Muralitharan | WATCH VIDEO

In a light-hearted moment, Samson transformed the encounter into a memorable display of respect for Muralitharan, ultimately hitting a six on the final ball. His playful approach was evident as he intentionally missed the first two deliveries, one of which could have resulted in a stumping, before effortlessly connecting on the last ball.

Having recently excelled in the T20 World Cup with 321 runs at an impressive average of 80.25, Samson is eager to carry that momentum into the IPL 2026 season with CSK. Their opening match is set against the Rajasthan Royals at Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on March 30, 2026.

Muralitharan, who last played a Test match for Sri Lanka in 2010, holds the record for the most wickets in Test cricket with 800. His final ODI appearance was during the 2011 World Cup final against India. In the IPL, he represented teams like CSK and has taken 63 wickets in 66 matches.