The five-time IPL champions, Chennai Super Kings (CSK), are all set to script history once again in IPL 2026, although they have not been at their best recently. They finished 10th in IPL 2025 and fifth in 2024 as well. However, CSK will begin the 2026 IPL with a match against Rajasthan Royals on March 30 as well.
However, CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad has confirmed that he will be opening alongside star wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season, starting March 28 as well.
However, Gaikwad was present at the Captains’ Day event after attending an all-captain meeting with the BCCI in Mumbai on Wednesday as well. Reacting to CSK’s opening pair, Ruturaj answered, “Rutu and Sanju,” revealing the new batting combination for IPL 2026 as well.
However, Sanju Samson will play for CSK for the first time after being traded from the Rajasthan Royals, where he played for 11 years. Notably, Samson was also named Player of the Tournament in the recently concluded ICC T20 World Cup 2026, where India beat New Zealand in the final to retain the trophy.
Sanju Samson is in a sublime form after scoring 321 runs in five innings, which came at an average of over 80 and a strike rate of nearly 200. He has smashed 4,704 runs in 177 IPL matches so far, including three centuries and 26 half-centuries as well.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) IPL 2026 Schedule
March 30 – Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings – Guwahati – 7:30 PM IST
April 3 – Chennai Super Kings vs Punjab Kings – Chennai – 7:30 PM IST
April 5 – Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Chennai Super Kings – Bengaluru – 7:30 PM IST
April 11 – Chennai Super Kings vs Delhi Capitals – Chennai – 7:30 PM IST
April 14 – Chennai Super Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders – Chennai – 7:30 PM IST
April 18 – Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Chennai Super Kings – Hyderabad – 7:30 PM IST
April 23 – Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings – Mumbai – 7:30 PM IST
April 26 – Gujarat Titans vs Chennai Super Kings – Ahmedabad – 3:30 PM IST
May 2 – Chennai Super Kings vs Mumbai Indians – Chennai – 7:30 PM IST
May 5 – Delhi Capitals vs Chennai Super Kings – Delhi – 7:30 PM IST
May 10 – Chennai Super Kings vs Lucknow Super Giants – Chennai – 3:30 PM IST
May 15 – Lucknow Super Giants vs Chennai Super Kings – Lucknow – 7:30 PM IST
May 18 – Chennai Super Kings vs Sunrisers Hyderabad – Chennai – 7:30 PM IST
May 21 – Chennai Super Kings vs Gujarat Titans – Chennai – 7:30 PM IST
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