IPL 2026: Sanju Samson’s panic-free mode takes CSK back to MS Dhoni era

CHENNAI: Frustration had been growing but has now subsided. A swaggering performance chennai super kingsNew signing Sanju Samson has reignited the team’s confidence against a competitive Delhi Capitals in Chepauk on Saturday.Sanju’s unbeaten 115 off 56 balls was his first big statement in a CSK jersey, displaying everything that makes him a prized T20 batsman. There was no rush, no overindulgence in big shots, no desperation to clear the ropes. Instead, he believed in his strengths and played a high-quality game under strong attack.Push boundaries with our YouTube channel. Subscribe now!Sanju was not one to require brute force but relied on timing and positioning to smash nine boundaries in the Powerplay. His control and game awareness helped CSK break Chepauk’s six-game jinx and ultimately boost their campaign.The game also took a drastic turn. After defeats in the first three games, the pressure is on for the Kerala batsman, who calls Chennai his “second home”. But if there was tension, it was never shown. CSK bowling coach Eric Simons highlighted this composure, saying Sanju is just a notch below MS Dhoni in terms of composure.“I have had the privilege of working with MS Dhoni for many years and she is one of the calmest cricketers I have ever seen. Sanju is not far behind,” Simmons said. “There’s no panic, there’s no urge to overtrain. When you have a player of his caliber, you know bad form is only temporary.”Simmons pointed to Tri-State’s confidence as its defining characteristic. “That’s something he has in abundance. Our job is to continue to trust him,” he added.That belief paid dividends for Tri-State early on. In the recent T20 World Cup, he was dropped into the playing XI after a string of low scores, but he stuck to his natural game and was richly rewarded with two consecutive man-of-the-match performances.The move to CSK was full of expectations. The team released long-time stalwart Ravindra Jadeja to bring him in – a decision that underlined their belief. Sanju admits it’s important to repay that trust. “After CSK showed faith in me, it was important to deliver results so that we can continue to compete,” he said. “Starting a new franchise is never easy, but I’ve never felt that way here. It’s like a second home.”Sanju is no stranger to setbacks and he believes these phases shaped him. “I failed a lot, but failure teaches you how to come back,” he said.