Will Sanju Samson play tonight in RR vs CSK match of IPL 2026?
(Courtesy : CSK Instagram)
Sanju Samson was traded to Chennai Super Kings from Rajasthan Royals ahead of IPL 2026.
The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have been struck by numerous injuries even before the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 kicked off. First it was Nathan Ellis, CSK’s lead pacer, who was ruled out of the competition, then IPL and CSK legend MS Dhoni was declared unfit for the first six matches, and later Dewald Brevis too was sidelined with injury for the first week.
This IPL 2026 season will be CSK’s point to prove, having finished at the bottom of the points table last year. They will now have to show immense determination and fight to emerge victorious against all odds. They will be led by Ruturaj Gaikwad this year, and their latest additions include Matt Henry, Prashant Veer, Kartik Sharma, Sarfraz Khan and Akeal Hosein.
Will Sanju Samson play tonight in RR vs CSK match of IPL 2026?
However, the player to watch out for will be Sanju Samson, who will mark his debut in yellow against his former franchise. The keeper-batter is expected to open the innings for his team in RR vs CSK clash.
The biggest talking point in the build-up to the IPL 2026 was around the marquee trade between Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals. CSK managed to acquire the services of Sanju Samson, and many felt he could prove to be MS Dhoni’s successor.
However, the five-time champions had to release Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran in return, with the former being a CSK legend, which made this farewell even more painful. Samson’s performances at the T20 World Cup 2026 suggest this trade could be a masterstroke for the Men in Yellow. Samson won Player of the Tournament and smashed match-winning knocks in both knockout matches.
The Keralite batter will now take on his former franchise RR, in the opening match of IPL 2026. He will also take up the responsibility of donning the gloves behind the stumps, as MS Dhoni is set to miss the first few weeks of IPL 2026 due to a calf strain sustained during a pre-season practice session.
Will Sanju Samson play tonight in RR vs CSK match of IPL 2026?
Yes Samson will be the wicket-keeper for the first few weeks while playing for CSK.
What is the venue of CSK vs RR clash?
The venue of the encounter is ACA Stadium in Guwahati.
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Aniruddh Seshadri Iyer is a passionate sports journalist at Khel Now, specializing in tennis and Olympic sports. An engineer by training, he found his storytelling passion through iconic Grand Slam and Olympic moments. Known for sharp analysis and insightful coverage, he draws inspiration from Novak Djokovic’s resilience. Outside journalism, he enjoys reading, traveling, and playing the guitar.