Former India spin 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 wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson has all the qualities to become the captain of the five-time champions.
The Chennai franchise will face Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on Saturday, April 18. They had won by 32 runs over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in Chepauk in their previous game. The visiting team aims to continue its momentum after a difficult start to the tournament.
Ravichandran Ashwin supports making Sanju Samson the future captain of CSK
Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, Ravichandran Ashwin said that Samson will lead Chennai Super Kings in the future. However, the veteran off-spinner said that the wicketkeeper should not try to copy past legends and create his own leadership style.
“I can tell you something – I see Sanju captaining CSK at some stage. I don’t know when, but I can see it happening. Whether we agree or not, there are a lot of things in the system. But the one thing I don’t want or need to take a risk on for Sanju, because I’m a serious well-wisher of his, is him stepping into someone’s shoes,” Ravichandran Ashwin told ESPNcricinfo.
“You don’t have to step into someone’s legacy. We don’t necessarily have to live that way or play that way. He has his own unique style that he lives in. And I want to see my mark on that,” he said.
Does R Ashwin see Sanju Samson captaining CSK at some point? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/SjTAJb19DI
– ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) 18 April 2026
Sanju Samson emerges as MS Dhoni’s successor for CSK
Chennai Super Kings have been looking for a long-term successor to MS Dhoni for the past few seasons. After the unsuccessful captaincy under Ravindra Jadeja, the team handed over the leadership responsibility to Ruturaj Gaikwad in 2024.
Dhoni returned to captain the team midway through the tournament in 2025, but the team finished bottom of the table for the first time. Ruturaj is currently leading the team in IPL 2026.
The franchise made a bold move by trading Jadeja for Sanju Samson ahead of the 2026 season. The decision sparked discussions about future leadership plans, as Samson has proven captaincy experience from domestic and IPL cricket.
Samson’s calm approach and tactical awareness make him a strong long-term option. With Dhoni nearing the end of his career and Gaikwad still developing as a leader, Chennai Super Kings can look to Samson as a reliable future captain.
Performance of Sanju Samson and Ruturaj Gaikwad in IPL 2026
Sanju Samson got off to a slow start with his new franchise, but he quickly found form with two strong performances. The wicketkeeper-batsman scored a brilliant century against Delhi Capitals (DC) and has scored 185 runs at an average of over 46 in five innings with an impressive strike rate of 172.89.
In contrast, current captain Ruturaj Gaikwad has struggled to get going with the bat. The opening batsman has scored just 63 runs in five matches at an average of 12.60, raising concerns that the pressure of captaincy could affect his natural game.
These contrasting performances have sparked debate over the direction of the team’s leadership. The management will have to decide whether to continue supporting Gaikwad or consider handing over the captaincy to Sanju Samson before the next IPL season.
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