MS Dhoni’s calf strain has handed Sanju Samson an opportunity he did not expect to get so soon — and Chennai Super Kings’ CEO has made clear that Samson is ready for it.

Dhoni Out for the Start: What Happened

CSK released an official statement on March 28, the opening day of IPL 2026, confirming that Dhoni is undergoing rehabilitation for a calf strain and is “likely to miss the first two weeks” of the season. Reports from Times of India suggest the actual absence could stretch to six matches, with a return expected only in late April.

A video of Dhoni limping during a CSK net session had already hinted at the issue before the official statement. The 44-year-old also has a well-documented history of knee problems — he went under the knife after IPL 2023 — and at the CSK ROAR 2026 event, he himself had said:

“My fitness is on the way down, not the way up.”

For CSK, his absence from the squad’s travel to Guwahati for the March 30 opener against Rajasthan Royals was particularly unusual — Dhoni has almost always stayed with the team even when not match-fit.

Samson Steps In Behind the Stumps

Sanju Samson joined CSK as part of one of the biggest trade deals in IPL history. Samson moved from Rajasthan Royals for Rs 18 crore, with Ravindra Jadeja (Rs 14 crore) and Sam Curran (Rs 2.4 crore) heading the other way to Jaipur.

Since the trade was announced, the question of who would keep wickets — Dhoni or Samson — had been a constant debate. Dhoni’s injury has answered it, at least for the opening phase of the season. CSK CEO Kasi Vishwanathan confirmed it plainly.

“See, obviously, Sanju will be keeping because his MS Dhoni is not going to play. Sanju’s form is great and he’s been knocking well in the nets also. So we’re hoping that he’ll give the impact that CSK is looking for during the current season.”

He was careful not to put any extra pressure on the Kerala batter.

“As far as Sanju is concerned, we don’t want to put any pressure on him because we know his capabilities. I’m very confident that Sanju, with his abilities and his form, will be a great bet for us.”

The Larger Picture: A Future Dhoni

Vishwanathan’s comments also offered a glimpse into CSK’s long-term thinking. The franchise has been quietly looking for someone to step into Dhoni’s shoes for several years, and the trade for Samson signals that they believe they have found that person.

At 30, Samson has 177 IPL matches behind him, brings experience of leading a franchise, and has the wicketkeeping skills and explosive batting that CSK will need beyond Dhoni’s eventual exit.

For IPL 2026 opener against RR, CSK are expected to field Ruturaj Gaikwad as captain, Samson at the top of the order keeping wickets, with Matthew Short, Shivam Dube, Dewald Brevis and Khaleel Ahmed among the likely starters. Captain Ruturaj Gaikwad and Samson are expected to open the batting.