Former India all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin recently made a big prediction about the future leadership of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) during IPL 2026. The cricketer-turned-commentator said that wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson has all the qualities to become captain of the five-time champions.
The Chennai franchise will take on Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on Saturday, April 18. They recorded a 32-run win over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at Chepauk in their previous game. The visiting team aims to continue its momentum after a difficult start to the tournament.
Ravichandran Ashwin backs Sanju Samson as CSK captain in future
Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, Ravichandran Ashwin said that Samson will lead the Chennai Super Kings in the future. However, the veteran added that the goalkeeper should not try to copy past legends and should develop his leadership style.
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“I can tell you one thing: I see Sanju captaining CSK at some point. I don’t know when, but I can see that happening. Whether we agree or not, a lot of things happen in the system. But one thing I wouldn’t want to risk or wish for Sanju, because I am a serious supporter of his, is that he steps into anyone’s shoes,” Ravichandran Ashwin told ESPNcricinfo.
“You don’t have to step into anyone’s legacy. We don’t necessarily have to live like that or even play like that. He has his own unique style, which he lives by. And I want to see his own imprint on it,” he added.
Does R Ashwin see Sanju Samson captaining CSK at some point? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/SjTAJb19DI
– ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) April 18, 2026
Sanju Samson emerges as MS Dhoni’s successor for CSK
Chennai Super Kings have been searching for a long-term successor to MS Dhoni for the past few seasons. After an unsuccessful stint as captain under Ravindra Jadeja, the team handed over leadership duties to Ruturaj Gaikwad in 2024.
Dhoni captained the team again midway through the 2025 tournament, but the team finished at the bottom of the table for the first time. Ruturaj is currently leading the team in IPL 2026.
The franchise took a bold step ahead of the 2026 season by trading Jadeja for Sanju Samson. This decision sparked discussions on future leadership plans as Samson brings proven captaincy experience from domestic and IPL cricket.
Samson’s calm approach and tactical awareness make him a solid long-term option. With Dhoni nearing the end of his career and Gaikwad still developing as a leader, Chennai Super Kings can see Samson as a reliable future captain.
Performances of Sanju Samson and Ruturaj Gaikwad in IPL
Sanju Samson got off to a slightly slow start with his new franchise, but quickly found form with two solid performances. The wicketkeeper-batsman scored a brilliant century against Delhi Capitals (DC) and scored 185 runs in five innings at an average of over 46 with an impressive strike rate of 172.89.
On the contrary, current captain Ruturaj Gaikwad has found it difficult to get going with the bat. The opener has managed just 63 runs in five matches at an average of 12.60, raising concerns that the pressure of captaincy may be affecting his natural game.
These contrasting performances have sparked debate about the direction of the team’s leadership. The management will have to decide whether to continue backing Gaikwad or consider handing over captaincy responsibilities to Sanju Samson ahead of the upcoming IPL season.
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