Chennai Super Kings Players with Actor Sivakarthikeyan during the Chennai Super Kings Roar 2026 promotional Event on March 23, 2026.
| Photo Credit: R. Ragu
It was a sweltering day in the city with the mercury rising to uncomfortable levels. However, it wasn’t enough to deter nearly 23,000 passionate fans from raising the fever pitch at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium on Sunday (March 22, 2026) as they welcomed the old and current stars of the Chennai Super Kings in a glitzy event.
The five-time champion took a trip down memory lane and set the ball rolling for the 2026 season of the IPL with a massive fan event titled ‘Roar 2026.’
Alongside the current squad, 14 former players who sported the yellow jersey rekindled fond memories of the franchise’s early years and the IPL, and were given a rapturous welcome.
Parthiv Patel, L. Balaji, Shadab Jakati, Harbhajan Singh, Joginder Sharma, S. Anirudha, S. Badrinath, M. Vijay, Muttiah Muralitharan, Michael Hussey, Matthew Hayden, Ambati Rayudu, Dwayne Bravo and Suresh Raina were the ‘OGs’ present.
The biggest roar, unsurprisingly, was reserved for M.S. Dhoni, the one person who remains the fulcrum of the side and the bridge between the past and present.
While the scene of Dhoni receiving a thunderous reception is par for the course at Chepauk, Sunday offered a glimpse of what could unfold this year when another wicket-keeper batter and currently the toast of the nation walks on this hallowed turf sporting the yellow jersey. Fans got their first glimpse of Sanju Samson, CSK’s newest recruit at this venue, and the Player of the Tournament in the recently concluded ICC T20 World Cup, who promised to return the IPL trophy to Chennai.
“It was a goosebumps moment. Winning the World Cup for the country is something I had dreamed of for many years. I’m glad I was able to contribute. Now, I’m excited and looking forward to the next couple of months in the IPL with my new team, CSK. My approach would be simple — see the ball and hit the ball. I will look to hit a lot of sixes. We will lift the trophy,” said Samson.
Earlier in the evening, the OGs took on members of the current squad in an over of one-on-one duels with the challenge to hit at least three boundaries. Michael Hussey faced off against Ruturaj Gaikwad, who sent down some gentle off-breaks; Samson took on former Sri Lankan legend Muttiah Muralitharan while Raina batted against Noor Ahmad.
Later in the evening, the former players brought out CSK’s seven trophies and displayed them on the stage.
In a first for the franchise, Hayden and Raina were the first two to be inducted into its Hall of Fame. Hayden was a key member of the team’s first IPL title in 2010. Raina was involved in four IPL titles (2010, 2011, 2018 & 2021) and two Champions League titles (2010 & 2014).
The evening came to a close with a music concert by one of the city’s icons and two-time Academy Award-winning composer A.R. Rahman.
Published – March 23, 2026 12:49 pm IST
