Sanju Samson will play for Chennai Super Kings in an emotional match against Rajasthan Royals, the team he led and shaped for more than ten years. Ravindra Jadeja will also play for his old team, adding a moving subplot to the IPL match between the two teams in Guwahati on Monday.
Samson led RR to the 2022 final and was their batting stalwart, skipper, and all-time top run scorer for over ten years.
Samson was the Royals’ identity, much like MS Dhoni at CSK. However, the Kerala batsman is now in yellow, providing a fresh dimension to CSK’s developing core, following a blockbuster trade that sent Jadeja back to RR. Samson, who was instrumental in India’s successful T20 World Cup campaign, is also in excellent form.
The modest keeper-batter will return with newfound confidence after his hat-trick of 50+ runs in crucial matches against the West Indies, England, and New Zealand anointed him the nation’s star.
He will form the core leadership of the side, which will be without Dhoni for at least two weeks owing to a calf strain, along with captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, who is also set to open.
Dhoni has not traveled to Guwahati with the team and his absence will put the spotlight on Samson and Gaikwad. Emerging players like 20-year-old left-arm spin all-rounder Prashant Veer, who made an impression in domestic Twenty20 matches, and the team’s big-money (Rs 14.2-core) uncapped newcomer Kartik Sharma, who is renowned for his six-hitting heroics in the domestic circuit, may also get more opportunities due to Dhoni’s absence.
CSK seems more prepared for a rebuild with young player Ayush Mhatre maturing quickly, Shivam Dube becoming a reliable middle-order force, and Dewald Brevis displaying signs of maturity. Their bowling attack, which includes Matt Henry, Khaleel Ahmed, Akeal Hosein, and Noor Ahmad, will also provide control and variation.
Samson’s exit marks the end of one era for RR and the start of a new one under Riyan Parag, who will take over as captain at his home stadium.
Jadeja’s return brings balance and experience, but the Royals may be concerned about his declining finishing abilities. As the senior-most top-order presence, Yashasvi Jaiswal will be the focal point of their batting.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, a youthful prodigy, and Shimron Hetmyer, who is now in form, provide firepower beside him, especially during the powerplay, where RR was one of the most explosive teams last season. Their bowling, though, is still an issue.
While the spin department will have to rely on Jadeja and Ravi Bishnoi, concerns about the consistency of their pace unit under Jofra Archer persist despite a makeover following a dismal 2025 campaign.
Both teams are looking to start over after disappointing seasons in which CSK finished at the bottom and RR barely above them in ninth.
