After having gotten off to what could, at best, be described as a tumultuous start of their current inception of the Tata IPL season 2026, the Chennai Super Kings are back to winning ways. Just a few hours ago, they humbled the mighty Mumbai Indians side and that too, at the latter’s own den, i.e., the Wankhede. However, despite winning the all important clash, a mega duel as per the historical standpoint of the IPL (both teams have an exact same number of IPL trophies to their name- 5), Chennai still have some weaklings to sort out and work out. And that being the very fact that even as on date, they are comfortably out of the top 5 where it comes to the IPL table. But even then, there’s a bright spark at play and the same cannot be denied. So what is it?

This is a significantly new looking Chennai Super Kings side and one in which two relatively new faces are steaming the charge and leading the attack. While at his end, Ruturaj Gaikwad is still a few season old in yellow, having made his debut under the leadership of MS Dhoni (even as he was always prepped to be the yellow team’s future leader, which he’s now become), he also has a glowing partner with whom to carve a bright bold path ahead for the CSK outfit.

And that man is Sanju Samson

As a matter of fact, his very recent or shall one say, latest Instagram picture or post also seems to convey the bright new narrative that seems to have become the headlining act of the Chennai side. Captain Ruturaj post wining the all important clash against Mumbai Indians took to his Instagram handle to upload what can be sincerely described as heartwarming image. The same sees the captain embracing his wicketkeeper-batter- Sanju Samson. An emotional and powerful image that perhaps ascribes to the young and dynamic new energy that the dazzling duo bring to the famed IPL outfit.  

What do you reckon?

The present set of the famous Chennai Super Kings does speak volumes about the charisma that someone as experienced as Samson brings to the fore alongside the calm force and the stoicism of someone like Gaekwad.

A shift of narrative

In some ways, what the above also does is that it tends to embolden the current focus on two men who can be called - and rightly so- the guiding lights of a new looking team. This, lest we forget, is a shift from the bygone era where forces like Suresh Raina, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin and MS Dhoni formed the core.

Isn’t it?

Now, even as the great Thala is still very much around, the impetus and guiding light of the CSK core, as fans you’d think have become- Sanju Samson and Ruturaj Gaekwad.

Truthfully speaking

Even as Gaekwad is still desperately searching for that big prominent knock to truly get under some runs, the while of Chennai and ditto for the IPL fanverse would be glad about the fact that Samson has already hit the sweet spot.

Firstly, he scored a towering hundred against the Delhi Capitals (which was nearly a fortnight ago) and later, followed it up by a sweltering century against the biggies of the IPL- the Mumbai Indians.

What lies ahead 

It won’t be incorrect to conjecture that yesterday, Samson’s bat carried the hope of his entire Chennai team and his breathtaking strokeplay, peppered by beautiful hits to the fence to all sides of the park was symbolic in Chennai posting yet another top class 200 plus run team total. Sanju’s commitment to the Chennai cause coupled with Ruturaj’s superb leadership is hopefully going to turn the narrative in the team’s favour!