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Questions Arise Over Sanju Samson's Role as MS Dhoni Prepares to Return

With MS Dhoni's anticipated return to the Chennai Super Kings, former player Subramaniam Badrinath raises critical questions about the role of Sanju Samson as an Impact Player. As Dhoni recovers from injury, the dynamics of the team are set to change, leading to discussions about who will take on key positions. Samson's current performance and his future with CSK are under scrutiny as the team prepares for upcoming matches. This article delves into the implications of Dhoni's return and what it means for Samson's role in the squad.
By Narendra Chaudhary | Apr 22, 2026, 19:12 IST
Questions Arise Over Sanju Samson's Role as MS Dhoni Prepares to Return gyanhigyan

Impact Player Dilemma for CSK


Subramaniam Badrinath, a former player for Chennai Super Kings (CSK), has sparked a debate regarding the potential use of Sanju Samson as an Impact Player when MS Dhoni makes his anticipated return. Dhoni has been sidelined this season due to a calf injury but is expected to rejoin the squad for the match against Mumbai Indians. In Dhoni's absence, Samson has taken on the wicketkeeping duties.


During a discussion on his YouTube channel, Badrinath expressed his belief that Dhoni will resume wicketkeeping upon his return, likely replacing Ayush Mhatre, who has been serving as an Impact Player. Badrinath raised critical questions about the implications of this change, particularly regarding whether Samson would then take on the role of Impact Sub. He noted, 'If Dhoni comes back, he’ll keep wickets. Who will be the Impact Sub in that case? Will it be Sanju Samson? These are important considerations.'


Furthermore, Badrinath indicated that it seems unlikely Samson would continue as an Impact Player once Dhoni is fit. The former captain has been batting late in the order and may be included in the Impact Players list if he is deemed fit enough. He could also replace a batter if CSK requires his presence for the entire match duration.


Sanju Samson's Contributions to CSK



So far this season, Samson has scored 192 runs across six innings, making him the second-highest run-scorer for CSK. After a slow start, Dhoni found his rhythm, scoring an impressive unbeaten 115 against Delhi Capitals and following it up with 48 runs against Kolkata Knight Riders. However, Samson's performance dipped as he managed only seven runs against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Notably, he is set to participate in the El-Clasico of IPL on Thursday (April 22), marking a significant moment as he previously played for Rajasthan Royals from IPL 2018 to 2025. Samson joined CSK through a trade before the IPL 2026 mini-auction, with CSK trading Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran to acquire him.


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