Chennai Super Kings (CSK) dashing opener Sanju Samson has revealed former CSK skipper MS Dhoni’s advice that helped him overcome poor scores in the recently concluded IPL 2026 season.
Samson initiated the IPL 2026 edition with three consecutive low scores as CSK started with a hat-trick of defeats. However, Dhoni’s advice helped Samson score an unbeaten century against the Delhi Capitals in the very next fixture.
“I still remember, Mahi bhai met me after the first three matches when we went for practice. I usually sit right behind him, facing him. So, we sat down, and he looked at me and asked if I was fine. I said, ‘Bhaiya, I am fine.’ Then I kept saying ‘but’ and ‘yes’ without even realising it. Then he told me, ‘Don’t get into but. Just focus on doing what you do best. Everything will be alright.’ It was very subtle, but a huge lesson for me. He was telling me that everything is okay. Just because I was failing didn’t mean I had to change my batting style, look like I was stressed, or practice for three extra hours,” Samson said on JioStar’s Superstars show.
In the game against the Capitals, Samson went on to score an unbeaten 115-run knock off 56 balls with 15 fours and four sixes at a strike rate of 205.36 as CSK posted a mammoth total of 212/2. In response, the capitals could score 189 runs as they suffered a 23-run defeat.
“At that moment, I felt I really had to perform for them. Then I told Stephen Fleming, ‘Don’t worry, we’ll be fine in the next game.’ And in the next game, I scored a hundred against Delhi Capitals. From there, the momentum came back,” he added.
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