IPL 2026: CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad reveals the opening pair for the season

Chennai Super Kings captain Ruturaj Gaikwad has confirmed that he will be opening the batting with the star wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson in the IPL 2026, starting March 28. There were doubts regarding the CSK opening pair with youngstar Ayush Mhatre in the mix; however, the captain has put rest to any doubts ahead of the start of the season.

Gaikwad attended an all-captain meeting with the BCCI in Mumbai on Wednesday before attending the `Captains Day` event. Ruturaj revealed the new batting tandem for the IPL 2026 when he responded, “Rutu and Sanju,” to a question about the opening duo for the CSK.

After being traded from the Rajasthan Royals, where he spent 11 seasons, Samson will play for the CSK for the first time. Samson was also the Player of the Tournament at the recently concluded T20 World Cup, where India defeated New Zealand to lift the trophy.

The 31-year-old Samson is in fine form after making 321 runs in five innings at an average of above 80 and a strike rate of nearly 200. He has made 4704 runs in 177 IPL matches so far with the help of three tons and 26 half-centuries. Samson`s inclusion will provide a big boost to the CSK batting that struggled last season.

After a terrible start to the season, the Ruturaj Gaikwad-led team finished at the bottom of the points standings. However, they have assembled a formidable team in the mini-auction and are optimistic about winning a record sixth title this year.CSK will start their season on March 30 against the Rajasthan Royals at Guwahati.

Chennai Super Kings full squad for IPL 2026:

Anshul Kamboj, Gurjapneet Singh, Jamie Overton, MS Dhoni, Mukesh Choudhary, Spencer Johnson, Noor Ahmad, Ramakrishna Ghosh, Sanju Samson, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shivam Dube, Shreyas Gopal, Syed Khaleel Ahmed, Ayush Mhatre, Dewald Brevis, Urvil Patel, Sarfaraz Khan (Rs 75 lakh), Kartik Sharma (Rs 14.20 Cr), Prashant Veer (Rs 14.20 Cr), Matthew Short (Rs 1.50 Cr), Aman Khan (Rs 40 lakh), Zak Foulkes (Rs 75 lakh), Akeal Hosein (Rs 2 Cr), Rahul Chahar (INR 5.2 Cr), Matt Henry (Rs 2 Cr).

(With ANI Input)