Captain Ruturaj Gaikwad Reveals CSK's Opening Pair For IPL 2026: 'Sanju Samson And...'

CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad has confirmed that he will open the innings with Sanju Samson in the upcoming 2026 edition of the world's richest franchise cricket league.

Chennai Super Kings captain Ruturaj Gaikwad has confirmed CSK’s opening combination for the 2026 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), which is starting on Saturday, March 28. During the Captain’s Day event in Mumbai on Wednesday (March 25), when asked about CSK’s option combination for IPL 2026 ahead of their season’s opener against Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati on Monday (March 30), Ruturaj stated that former RR skipper Sanju Samson, who joined them in a trade deal ahead of the IPL 2026 auction last year, will open the innings with him (Gaikwad).

“Rutu and Sanju", Gaikwad said when Star Sports presenter asked him about CSK’s opening pair for IPL 2026.

Gaikwad, who has 2502 runs to his name in 71 IPL matches played so far for CSK, played as an opener for the Chennai-based team in the first few seasons of the IPL, but last year (in 2025) he played five matches as a No. 3 batter before getting ruled out of the season due to an injury.

CSK signed Ayush Mhatre as Gaikwad’s replacement in IPL 2025, and the 18-year-old batter from Mumbai, who led India to a U19 World Cup title win earlier this year, played seven matches as a top-order batter and scored 240 runs with a strike rate of 188.97.

Before the CSK skipper’s big reveal, it was believed that Mhatre would open the innings with Samson and Gaikwad would bat at No. 3 like he did last season. Mhatre is now expected to bat at No. 3 for the five-time champions in the IPL this season. In the U19 World Cup 2026 as well, Mhatre batted at No. 3 for the Indian team.

All eyes on Sanju

In IPL 2026, all eyes will be on Samson. The 31-year-old wicketkeeper-batter from Kerala was signed by CSK in a trade deal with Rajasthan Royals ahead of the auction last year, and he is coming into this year’s IPL after playing a big role in India’s T20 World Cup 2026 title win. In the T20 World Cup 2026, Samson scored three half-centuries in a row to win the title for India, and for his super show with the bat, he also won the Player Of The Tournament award.

In the IPL, Samson has 4704 runs to his name in 177 matches played so far for two teams – Delhi Capitals and Rajasthan Royals.

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