(CSK) captain Ruturaj Gaikwad dropped a massive hint about the team’s opening combination for the Indian Premier League 2026. Gaikwad revealed that he, along with , will open the innings in IPL 2026. CSK had a dismal campaign last year, and the poor run of the openers was one of the main reasons for the shambolic performances.
CSK tried multiple combinations, but all led to disaster. CSK then tried Ayush Mhatre at the top, and he provided some brisk starts. But with CSK roping in Sanju Samson for IPL 2026, the franchise seems to have made up its mind to go in with an experienced pair.
During the IPL 2026 captains meet in Mumbai, Gaikwad was asked about CSK’s opening combination, and his reply all but confirmed that Samson will open the innings along with him.
Why Sanju Samson At The Top Is The Right Move
Sanju Samson has batted at many different positions, but his best performances have come at the top. After Samson was promoted as an opener for Team India, he scored three centuries for the team. During the recently concluded T20 World Cup, Samson looked in ominous form at the top and played a huge role in team India’s title defence. With a player of Samson’s calibre in the squad, it is in the best interest of CSK to use him as an opener.
Samson also pairs well with Gaikwad at the top. Samson is naturally aggressive and likes to take the attack to the opposition, while Gaikwad brings a sense of calm. With Gaikwad at the top, CSK can have an anchor while more aggressive players like Samson, Ayush Mhatre, and Sarfaraz Khan can play around him. Gaikwad also boasts of a better record as an opener. Gaikwad averages 26 in eight innings while batting at No.3, while his average jumps to 44.02 as an opener. In 60 innings as an opener, Gaikwad has scored 2289 runs at a strike rate of 136.90, which is remarkable.