IPL 2026: Sanju Samson etched his name into MS Dhoni’s long-standing record books after becoming the highest run-scorer by a designated wicketkeeper for Chennai Super Kings in a single IPL season. The milestone came in Match 63 of the Indian Premier League 2026 against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Monday, May 18, 2026.

Dhoni had scored 461 runs in 16 innings during the 2013 season, a record that stood untouched for more than a decade. Samson needed just 12 runs to surpass the mark and achieved the feat in only six deliveries during Chennai’s innings.

The wicketkeeper-batter began aggressively against Nitish Kumar Reddy and then struck three consecutive boundaries off Praful Hinge in the second over to continue his attacking start.

Samson was batting on 27 off 11 balls when SRH captain Pat Cummins introduced himself into the attack. After beating the batter with a sharp yorker, Cummins forced an outside edge with a delivery outside off stump, with Samson caught behind attempting an expansive drive.

With the innings, Samson moved to 477 runs in IPL 2026 from 13 innings at an average of 47.7.

Dhoni still remains CSK’s most successful wicketkeeper-batter overall, but Samson became only the second player to significantly challenge his record in a single season. Only three wicketkeepers have scored more than 100 runs for Chennai Super Kings in an IPL season — Dhoni, Parthiv Patel and Samson.

Earlier in the evening, Chennai Super Kings won the toss and elected to bat first against Sunrisers Hyderabad in a must-win clash for their playoff hopes.

Speaking at the toss, CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad confirmed that Dhoni remained unavailable because of fitness concerns.

“We are looking to bat first. Looking a bit dry, and we want to put up a good total. MS Dhoni is still here, but he is not fit enough to play this game,” Gaikwad said.