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As MS Dhoni is on the verge of retirement from the T20s, speculations have begun about the team’s next captain. Ruturaj Gaikwad is currently the captain of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), under whose leadership the team has so far performed decently in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Expectations are massive on his shoulders as he is positioned as the successor of the legendary MS Dhoni, who guided the team for 5 IPL titles. Rutuaj is far from Dhoni’s legacy and record.
Sanju Samson can be CSK's next captain
Ahead of the IPL 2026 season, there were speculations around Sanju Samson’s role in the team. The keeper-batter has captaincy experience, is a prolific keeper-batter, and is a crowd puller. There are multiple reasons in favor of Samson becoming the next skipper of the Chennai Super Kings.
The team management has so far shown deep faith in Ruturaj Gaikwad. In the presence of Ruturaj, will the management take a step further to appoint Samson as the leader?
When will Sanju Samson receive the leadership role?
According to a recent report, Sanju Samson can be the captain of CSK in the future, replacing Ruturaj Gaikwad. The process has already begun, but the team management seems in no hurry to take a final call regarding the captaincy of the team. In the next season too, the captain of CSK is expected to be unchanged.
“Whether Sanju is named captain from next year or the following season, he is 200 per cent the next captain of CSK,” a source told cricblogger.
“However, another source close to CSK said that Sanju Samson is not set to become captain just yet. The franchise is likely to take a call only after next year’s IPL, and if Sanju is retained, he may then negotiate for captaincy under a new set-up from the 2028 season onwards,” the report claims.
Ruturaj Gaikwad is so far decent as the Chennai Super Kings leader
Ruturaj has captained CSK in 31 IPL matches, registering 14 wins, 17 losses, and a win percentage of 45.16%. He officially took over the leadership role from MS Dhoni ahead of the 2024 season. However, because of a serious injury, he was ruled out for the 2025 season, with Dhoni back again as the captain.
In the past, the management tried the same with Ravindra Jadeja, but that project failed within a season. Jadeja captained Chennai Super Kings for 8 matches during the 2022 IPL season, recording 2 wins and 6 losses.
Ahead of the ongoing season, showing massive trust in Sanju Samson, CSK traded him from the Rajasthan Royals in the expenses of Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran. Currently, CSK is balancing on a thin rope between the play-offs and the exit door.
If the team somehow manages to make their way into the play-offs, then it will be a huge relief for the skipper himself and for the team as well.
Read More: "Please play": Harbhajan Singh urges MS Dhoni to feature in crucial CSK vs SRH IPL 2026 match
