Sanju Samson is set to play under Ruturaj Gaikwad’s captaincy for the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL 2026 season, a decision he has openly welcomed. The confirmation of Gaikwad’s continued leadership comes as Samson settles into his new team following a trade from the Rajasthan Royals.
Samson, who previously captained RR from 2021 to 2025, acknowledged the speculation surrounding his potential captaincy at CSK but emphasized his commitment to supporting Gaikwad. The franchise has made it clear that Gaikwad is their chosen leader for the long term.
Speaking in a video shared by CSK, Samson expressed his excitement about his new role and his positive relationship with Gaikwad. He explicitly stated his desire to play under the young captain.
“Rutu is a good friend of mine. He is the Captain and I want to play under his captaincy. I want to be with him as a leader,” Samson conveyed, emphasizing camaraderie and a shared vision.
This transition marks Samson’s first season with the iconic Super Kings franchise. His departure from Rajasthan Royals was reportedly linked to the significant emotional impact of the team’s disastrous IPL 2025 campaign, described as their worst in 18 years, leading to feelings of fatigue.
The significant player exchange also sent Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran to Rajasthan Royals. Jadeja returns to his roots with RR, while Curran begins a new journey with the franchise. Rajasthan Royals are reportedly evaluating their future captaincy options, with Ravindra Jadeja, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Dhruv Jurel among the potential candidates for the 2027 season.