Samson to replace Ruturaj as CSK's captain? R Ashwin makes bold prediction
IPL 2026: Chennai Super Kings' poor run under Ruturaj Gaikwad has reignited leadership debates, with Ravichandran Ashwin suggesting Sanju Samson could take over captaincy in the near future. With ongoing struggles in big chases and injuries in the squad, CSK will rely on Samson's form and leadership potential moving forward.
Chennai Super Kings have slipped to the lower half of the table in the Indian Premier League after losing four of their six matches under the leadership of Ruturaj Gaikwad. Former India all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin believes this phase may not last long, with new arrival Sanju Samson likely to take over the reins sooner rather than later.
The Chennai-based franchise, which finished at the bottom of the table last season, had briefly turned things around with two consecutive wins. However, they faltered again while chasing a 180-plus target, this time against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Their struggles in high-scoring chases have persisted since 2018, with the team repeatedly failing to overhaul such totals.
Gaikwad, who was handed the captaincy to aid the transition from the MS Dhoni era, has struggled to leave a strong impression so far. The right-handed batter has faced consistent criticism for his on-field decisions. CSK has struggled to replace MS Dhoni, who helped the franchise win five-IPL titles, replacing him first with Ravindra Jadeja and then Gaikwad..
“I’m no astrologer, but I do see Sanju captaining CSK at some stage. I don’t know when, but I feel it could happen. That said, I wouldn’t want him to step into someone else’s shoes or legacy. He should create his own identity and play his own way,” Ashwin said on ESPNcricinfo.
Samson was last seen leading Rajasthan Royals, guiding them to the final in 2022, where they lost to Gujarat Titans. “When he’s in a good space, he makes very good decisions. He’s had both good and ordinary days, but what stands out is his ability to take feedback. Not many captains do that well. He also connects with players on a personal level, not just professionally, and that really helps build strong relationships,” Ashwin added.
The Kerala-born batter has been in sensational form, delivering consistent performances for both India and his IPL franchises. “We’ve come from a cricketing culture where milestones like 50s and 100s mattered a lot, but T20 is not about individual scores. It’s more like football now—it’s about impact, attacking, defending, and getting results. I think both fans and players are still adapting to that mindset,” he said.
With Ayush Mhatre sidelined due to injury, CSK will hope Samson can shoulder greater responsibility. They next face arch-rivals Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium on April 23.
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Chennai Super Kings have slipped to the lower half of the table in the Indian Premier League after losing four of their six matches under the leadership of Ruturaj Gaikwad. Former India all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin believes this phase may not last long, with new arrival Sanju Samson likely to take over the reins sooner rather than later.
The Chennai-based franchise, which finished at the bottom of the table last season, had briefly turned things around with two consecutive wins. However, they faltered again while chasing a 180-plus target, this time against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Their struggles in high-scoring chases have persisted since 2018, with the team repeatedly failing to overhaul such totals.
Gaikwad, who was handed the captaincy to aid the transition from the MS Dhoni era, has struggled to leave a strong impression so far. The right-handed batter has faced consistent criticism for his on-field decisions. CSK has struggled to replace MS Dhoni, who helped the franchise win five-IPL titles, replacing him first with Ravindra Jadeja and then Gaikwad..
“I’m no astrologer, but I do see Sanju captaining CSK at some stage. I don’t know when, but I feel it could happen. That said, I wouldn’t want him to step into someone else’s shoes or legacy. He should create his own identity and play his own way,” Ashwin said on ESPNcricinfo.
Samson was last seen leading Rajasthan Royals, guiding them to the final in 2022, where they lost to Gujarat Titans. “When he’s in a good space, he makes very good decisions. He’s had both good and ordinary days, but what stands out is his ability to take feedback. Not many captains do that well. He also connects with players on a personal level, not just professionally, and that really helps build strong relationships,” Ashwin added.
The Kerala-born batter has been in sensational form, delivering consistent performances for both India and his IPL franchises. “We’ve come from a cricketing culture where milestones like 50s and 100s mattered a lot, but T20 is not about individual scores. It’s more like football now—it’s about impact, attacking, defending, and getting results. I think both fans and players are still adapting to that mindset,” he said.
With Ayush Mhatre sidelined due to injury, CSK will hope Samson can shoulder greater responsibility. They next face arch-rivals Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium on April 23.
IPL 2026 | IPL Schedule | IPL Points Table | IPL Player Stats | Purple Cap | Orange Cap | IPL Videos | Cricket News | Live Score
