Chennai Super Kings could be inching closer to the long-awaited transition phase as MS Dhoni misses the opening weeks of IPL 2026, with Sanju Samson stepping behind the stumps. Recent comments from CEO Kasi Viswanathan have added to the growing buzz around possible changes within the franchise.

Dhoni out for first two weeks due to calf strain He will miss the opening matches of the season, forcing CSK to make quick adjustments. Speaking to RevSportz, Vishwanathan confirmed that Samson will take over the wicketkeeping duties in Dhoni’s absence, giving a possible glimpse of the future structure of the team.

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“Look, obviously, Sanju will be keeping because their MS Dhoni is not going to play. Sanju is in great form and he is also performing well in the nets. So we are hoping that he will give CSK the impact they are looking for during the current season. Of course, we have Ruturaj, who is also capable of taking the team to a higher level, and his captaincy is one that will definitely lift the team up,” Vishwanathan said.

He said, “As far as Sanju is concerned, we don’t want to put any pressure on him because we know his abilities. I haven’t spent much time talking to Sanju because I met him only a few days ago and during practice, I would never go near him and harass him. I am confident that Sanju, with his abilities and his form, will be a great bet for us.”

development comes in the way Speculation intensifies regarding Dhoni’s future Having already stepped down from the captaincy and playing a lesser role on the field over the past few seasons, the 44-year-old has gradually turned into a situational finisher rather than a consistent presence in the XI.

Samson’s arrival from Rajasthan Royals, in a high-profile trade that also included Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran, had already sparked talks about succession planning. After a stellar T20 World Cup 2026 campaign, where he emerged Player of the Tournament, Samson now finds himself at the heart of CSK’s evolving set-up.

With the leadership of Ruturaj Gaikwad, CSK is building a new core relying on the experience of Dhoni in the background. The upcoming clash against his former team, Rajasthan Royals, adds another layer of intrigue to Samson in his new role.

Is CSK ready to live life without Dhoni?

However, the bigger question goes beyond just a few matches.

Dhoni’s impact on CSK was never limited to numbers alone. In 278 matches and over 5,400 runs, he has been the central figure in shaping the identity of the franchise, leading them to five IPL titles and instilling a sense of calm in high-pressure situations.

But in the last few seasons, signs of transition have been clearly visible. The impact player rule has reduced his involvement, while his batting role has been pushed further down the order. His appearances have become more strategic, often limited to late cameos rather than match-defining innings.

IPL 2025 further highlighted the need for change, as CSK endured a difficult campaign and finished bottom of the table. Therefore, the current season represents more than a fresh start – it could be a testing ground for life beyond Dhoni.

Samson offers a long-term solution with the gloves, but replacing Dhoni’s leadership, game awareness and presence is far more complex. It is not about filling a position, but about redistributing responsibility across the XI.

At the moment, Dhoni’s absence due to injury provides CSK a small window to experiment. Whether this develops into a complete change or remains a temporary adjustment will depend on how the team performs in these early matches.

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Fakhar Zaman (Image Credit: PSL)

Pakistan’s star batsman Fakhar Zaman Was allegedly caught red handed ball tampering on live television pakistan super league (PSL) Match between Lahore Qalandars and Karachi Kings at Gaddafi Stadium. He was caught on camera, forcing the on-field umpires to intervene, speak to captain Shaheen Shah Afridi and eventually change the ball. Fakhar was also criticized by former cricketers of Pakistan.Despite the uproar, Fakhar has denied the allegations of ball tampering. Former Sri Lankan cricketer and match referee appeared before Roshan MahanamaHe rejected the allegations.The 35-year-old opening batsman was charged with a Level 3 offense under Article 2.14 of the PSL Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel by Mahanama on Sunday.He was found to be in breach of Article 41.3 of the PSL playing conditions, which prohibits any action that alters the position of the ball.The allegation pertains to an incident just before the final over of Karachi Kings’ innings, when they needed 14 runs to win. Before the over, Fakhar was seen discussing with Haris Rauf and captain Shaheen Afridi.Immediately after this, umpire Faisal Afridi took possession of the ball and inspected it. After consulting the second on-field umpire, it was determined that the condition of the ball had been changed.Another hearing is expected to be held within the next 48 hours before the match referee makes a decision.The umpires fined Lahore Qalandars five runs for changing the condition of the ball and later changed it. Due to this, Karachi Kings needed nine runs in the last over, which they successfully achieved.After the bowler bowled a wide ball, all-rounder Abbas Afridi sealed the team’s victory by hitting Rauf with a four and a six.If the match referee confirms the offence, Fakhar – and potentially Lahore Qalandars as a team – could face serious penalties.

Ajinkya Rahane brushed aside criticism over his batting after leading from the front for Kolkata Knight Riders in the first match of IPL 2026 against Mumbai Indians. The KKR skipper said he does not want to prove anything to anyone, insisting that he is satisfied with his current form.

Rahane’s comments came after his fluent innings at the Wankhede Stadium, where he scored 67 runs in 40 balls to propel KKR’s innings. Despite losing by six wickets, The veteran set the tone on a batting-friendly surface as KKR posted a strong score of 220 for 4.

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MI vs KKR, IPL 2026: Update | Achievement:

“Let people talk about me – they have been talking about me for the last 20 years. Let them talk. I am really happy with the way I am batting at the moment. I am not here to show anyone how talented I am or what my game is. People are watching – let them watch, let them talk,” Rahane said in the post-match press conference.

“But I’m really happy with how much I’ve improved my game over the last two or three years in white-ball cricket, especially in the T20 format. It’s important to develop as a cricketer and a batsman, and that’s what I’m trying to do. So, let them do the talking.”

Rahane’s innings, which included three fours and five sixes, was well supported by Angkrish Raghuvanshi (51) and Finn Allen (37 off 17) as KKR kept the scoring rate strong throughout. However, their effort was not enough as MI chased down the target with ease.

The innings comes in the backdrop of scrutiny of Rahane’s leadership, after KKR finished eighth in IPL 2025 despite being the team’s top scorer with 390 runs.

Is Ajinkya Rahane’s injury serious?

The moment of concern for KKR came when Rahane walks off the field during Mumbai Indians’ chase After experiencing cramps.

However, the KKR captain downplayed the issue after receiving treatment from the team physio and confirmed that it was not serious. His early departure from the field was a precaution rather than a sign of any major injury concern.

Rahane’s fitness will be closely monitored ahead of KKR’s upcoming fixtures, but early indications suggest there is no long-term setback for the captain.

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Rohit Sharma and Ryan Rickelton (BCCI)

Mumbai: finally Mumbai Indians Their streak of losing their first IPL match is over, an unwanted habit they were carrying for 13 long seasons from 2013 to 2025.Indeed, at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday night, that unwanted record looked set to continue as Kolkata Knight Riders posted a mammoth score of 220 for four after being invited to bat first.