Xplorich
NEW DELHI: Lightning-quick work behind the stumps, whipping off the bails in a flash – that’s a skill long associated with MS Dhoni. On Sunday, Sanju Samson brought back those memories with a brilliant stumping of Shubman Gill during the IPL 2026 clash between 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 wide, and Gill missed his flick. Samson, however, was alert and razor-sharp, collecting the ball and dislodging the bails in a split second with Gill’s foot still in the air.It was a stunning piece of wicketkeeping that lifted the crowd at Chepauk, with fans erupting as Samson’s effort evoked memories of Dhoni’s trademark brilliance behind the stumps.
Earlier in the innings, Samson also achieved a major batting milestone, becoming the fastest Indian – in terms of balls faced – to reach 5,000 runs in IPL history. He got there by striking Kagiso Rabada for a boundary, though the pacer later dismissed him for 11.Samson is now the 10th batter overall to cross the 5,000-run mark in the IPL, reaching the milestone in just 180 innings. He took 3555 balls to get there, placing him among the fastest globally, behind players like 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 featuring 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 multiple centuries and fifties, Samson continues to underline his value as a dynamic and reliable top-order batter.
