Sanju Samson (Photo: IPL/BCCI)
Chennai Super Kings’ player Sanju Samson is on the verge of achieving a special milestone in his Indian Premier League career ahead of today’s clash against Gujarat Titans. The wicket-keeper-batsman needs just 23 more runs to complete his second 500-plus season in IPL history.Samson has enjoyed an exciting debut campaign for CSK in IPL 2026. After spending over a decade across two separate spells (2013-15 and 2018-2025) with Rajasthan Royals, the stylish right-hander was traded to Chennai ahead of the season in a blockbuster move involving Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran.After his Player of the Tournament award-winning performance in India’s victorious 2026 T20 World Cup campaign, Samson has carried his form seamlessly into the IPL and has emerged as CSK’s standout performer this season.
In 13 matches so far, Samson has scored 477 runs at an impressive average of 47.70 and an impressive strike rate of 166.20. His tally includes two centuries and two half-centuries, underscoring his consistency and attacking approach at the top of the order.
If he reaches the 500-run mark against Gujarat Titans, it will be only the second time in his IPL career that he has crossed the milestone in a single season. His previous best came in IPL 2024, when he amassed 531 runs in 15 innings, including five half-centuries.
Samson made his IPL debut in 2013 with Rajasthan Royals before moving to Delhi Capitals for a short spell. He later returned to Rajasthan and established himself as one of the series’ most important players before joining CSK for IPL 2026, his third IPL franchise.
Do you think CSK can still make it to the playoffs this season?
Meanwhile, CSK’s playoff hopes are hanging by a thread. After a crushing five-wicket defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad in Chipauk, the five-time champions dropped to seventh on the points table with 12 points from 13 matches and a negative net run rate of -0.016. With Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Gujarat Titans and Sunrisers Hyderabad already securing the playoff spots, CSK are now competing with four other teams for the only remaining qualification berth and are no longer in control of their destiny in the tournament.