IPL 2026: Gaikwad, Samson confirmed as CSK's opening pair

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain Ruturaj Gaikwad revealed the opening combination that the team management has decided to go with in IPL 2026. In an interaction with the host broadcaster, Gaikwad put an end to the speculation and confirmed that he and Samson would be opening the proceedings for the franchise with the bat this season.

Gaikwad was asked what the opening pair would look like from among the trio of himself, Samson, and Ayush Mhatre to which the CSK skipper replied promptly with "Rutu and Sanju". Moreover, Gaikwad also revealed that MS Dhoni's batting position is yet to be finalised and one would have to wait for some more time to know it. 

From the skipper himself 👀@Ruutu1331 reveals CSK’s opening pair at #CaptainsDay 🏏#TATAIPL 2026 👉 Starts 28 Mar, 5:30 PM pic.twitter.com/xOhS4GOmUC

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) March 26, 2026

Samson was traded to CSK in November last year after spending 11 years at Rajasthan Royals. The Kerala batter captained the franchise from 2021 to some portion of 2025, a stint which included the franchise's second-ever final appearance in 2022. Notably, Samson was traded at the same value of INR 180 million in exchange for Sam Curran and Ravindra Jadeja who returned to Jaipur after 2009.

Samson is in exceptional touch of late having played a major role in India's T20 World Cup 2026 triumph. The 31-year-old scored three big half centuries in the team's last three encounters and ended up being the Player of the Tournament with 321 runs in five innings amassed at a strike rate of 199.37.

Gaikwad had a season to forget last year as the Maharashtra batter was ruled out mid-season due to an elbow injury with MS Dhoni taking over the leadership mantle much to the delight of the Yellow Brigade. However, it was a terrible season for the southern-most IPL franchise nonetheless as they were the first team to be eliminated from the playoffs race. Ultimately, they finished at the bottom of the points table.