Chennai Super Kings batsmen Sanju Samson Gujarat is on course to achieve a special milestone in his IPL career ahead of today’s clash against the Titans. The wicketkeeper-batsman needs just 23 runs to complete his second 500-plus season in IPL history.Samson has enjoyed a sensational debut campaign with CSK in IPL 2026. After spending more than a decade with Rajasthan Royals in two separate stints (2013-2015 and 2018-2025), the stylish right-hander was traded to Chennai before the season in a blockbuster move that included CC Vandra and Randran.Fresh from a Player of the Tournament-winning performance in India’s triumphant 2026 T20 World Cup campaign, Samson seamlessly carried his form into the IPL and 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 a strike rate of 166.20. His tally includes two centuries and a half-century, which underlines his consistency and attacking presence 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 scored 531 runs in 15 innings, including five fifties.Samson made his IPL debut with Rajasthan Royals in 2013 before moving to Delhi Capitals for a short spell. He later returned to Rajasthan and established himself as one of the franchise’s most important players before joining CSK for IPL 2026, his third IPL franchise.Meanwhile, CSK’s playoff hopes hang by a thread. After beating Sunrisers Hyderabad by five wickets in Chepauk, the five-time champions moved up to seventh in 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 clinching playoff spots, CSK are now battling four other teams for the only remaining qualification berth and are no longer in control of their own fate in the tournament.
