IPL 2026: Sanju Samson’s no-panic mode takes CSK back to MS Dhoni days

CHENNAI: The frustration had been building, but it has now vanished. One show of swagger from Chennai Super Kings’ new recruit Sanju Samson against a competitive Delhi Capitals at Chepauk on Saturday has reignited belief in the camp.

Sanju’s unbeaten 115 off 56 balls, his first major statement in CSK colours, showcased everything that makes him a prized T20 batter. There was no rush, no overindulgence in big hitting, no desperation to clear the ropes. Instead, he trusted his strengths, constructing a high-quality innings against a strong attack.




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Not one for brute force, Sanju relied on timing and placement, striking nine boundaries in the Powerplay. His control and game awareness helped CSK snap a six-match Chepauk jinx and finally get their campaign moving.

The innings also marked a sharp turnaround. After failures in his first three matches, the pressure had begun to mount on the Kerala batter, who calls Chennai his “second home.” But if there was tension, it never showed. CSK bowling coach Eric Simons underlined that composure, placing Sanju just a notch below MS Dhoni in terms of calmness.

“I’ve had the privilege of working many years with MS Dhoni, one of the calmest cricketers I’ve seen. Sanju isn’t far behind,” Simons said. “There’s no panic, no urge to over-practise. When you have a player of his class, you know poor form is temporary.”

Simons pointed to Sanju’s self-belief as the defining trait. “It’s something he has in abundance. Our job is to keep trusting him,” he added.

That belief has served Sanju well before. At the recent T20 World Cup, he entered the XI late after a string of low scores but stuck to his natural game, reaping rich rewards with two consecutive Player-of-the-Match performances.

The move to CSK came with expectations. The franchise released long-time stalwart Ravindra Jadeja to bring him in — a decision that underlined their faith. Sanju admitted it was important to repay that trust. “After the trust CSK showed in me, it was important to deliver so we stay in contention,” he said. “It’s never easy starting with a new franchise, but I never felt that here. It’s like a second home.”



Sanju is no stranger to setbacks and believes those phases have shaped him. “I have failed a lot, but failure teaches you how to come back,” he said.
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