NEW DELHI: Lightning-quick work behind the stumps, whipping the bulls into the swing – it’s a skill that has long been associated with it. MS Dhoni. on sunday, Sanju Samson brought back those memories with the brilliant stomping of Shabman Gul The clash took place during IPL 2026. Chennai Super Kings and Gujarat Titans.The moment came in the seventh over of Gujarat Titans’ innings. Defending 158/7, CSK were desperate for a breakthrough. The delivery, drifting down the leg side, almost looked like a broad, and Gill missed his flick. Samson, however, was alert and razor-sharp, collecting the ball and finishing off Bales in a split second, leaving Gayle’s feet in the air.It was a brilliant piece of wicketkeeping that lifted the crowd in Chepauk, the fans erupting as Samson’s effort evoked memories of Dhoni’s trademark brilliance behind the stumps.Earlier in the innings, Samson also achieved an important batting milestone, becoming the fastest Indian – in terms of balls faced – to reach 5000 runs in IPL history. He got there with a boundary off Kagiso Rabada, though the pacer later dismissed him for 11.Samson is now the 10th overall batsman to cross the 5000-run mark in the IPL, achieving the milestone in just 180 innings. He took 3555 balls to get there, making him the fastest pacer in the world, surpassing the likes of AB de Villiers.Having represented Rajasthan Royals, Delhi Capitals and CSK since his debut in 2013, Samson has built a reputation as a consistent performer. He joins an elite list that includes Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, David Warner, KL Rahul, Suresh Raina, MS Dhoni and Ajinkya Rahane.With over 5,000 IPL runs at a strike rate above 140, along with numerous centuries and half-centuries, Samson continues to highlight his value as a dynamic and reliable top-order batsman.
