CSK's IPL 2026 Debutant Challenges Ruturaj Gaikwad For Captaincy As MS Dhoni Fades

Ruturaj Gaikwad and MS Dhoni [Source: AFP]

One of CSK's IPL 2026 debutants has emerged as a strong contender to replace Ruturaj Gaikwad as the captain of the team. Led by Gaikwad, the Super Kings have blown hot and cold in the IPL this season. 

With MS Dhoni missing twelve consecutive matches, the Super Kings are fighting for a spot in the IPL playoffs, having lost six games in the group stage of the competition. 

As the MS Dhoni era is all but over, the Super Kings have reportedly finalised one of their IPL 2026 debutants as a potential successor to Ruturaj Gaikwad. 

Ruturaj Gaikwad's record as CSK captain reflects mediocrity

Experienced Indian cricketer Ruturaj Gaikwad has been a phenomenal performer for Chennai Super Kings in the IPL. He succeeded the legendary MS Dhoni as the Super Kings' full-time captain in 2024. 

However, while Dhoni's stint added five IPL titles to the Super Kings' trophy cabinet, Gaikwad has been a pale shadow of his predecessor. The Maharashtra cricketer has led CSK to 17 losses in 31 matches, reflecting mediocrity as the captain of the team. 

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Gaikwad has also suffered a dip in his batting form due to the pressure of captaining the side. The stylish right-hander, once known for his consistency, has managed only 306 runs across 12 matches in IPL 2026, averaging a modest 30.60 with the bat. 

Amid Ruturaj Gaikwad's underwhelming returns as a batter and a captain, the Super Kings have reportedly finalised IPL 2026 debutant Sanju Samson as his successor in the IPL. 

Sanju Samson to lead CSK sooner or later, report claims

According to a report by CricBlogger, Chennai Super Kings are going to hand over the captaincy duties to Sanju Samson in the IPL. 

Samson became a part of the five-time IPL-winning franchise following Chennai Super Kings' historic trade with Rajasthan Royals, which also witnessed the entry of Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran in the inaugural champions' squad. 

The report states that Sanju Samson will eventually be named the CSK captain going forward. It further claims that Samson will negotiate for captaincy with the Super Kings' management if he is retained ahead of the 2028 mega auction. 

“Whether Sanju is named captain from next year or the following season, he is 200 per cent the next captain of CSK," a source was quoted as saying by CricBlogger. 

"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 stated. 

Why do CSK see Sanju Samson as MS Dhoni's like-for-like replacement?

Sanju Samson has had a memorable debut season for the Super Kings, amassing 450 runs at an average of 50 and a strike rate of 164.23. 

Besides outperforming Ruturaj Gaikwad, Samson has reportedly earned the CSK management's trust as a potential leadership candidate, courtesy of his MS Dhoni-like antics and game awareness. 

The way he keeps his composure as a batter has impressed the Super Kings' think tank. Samson's ice-cool temperament and street-smart decision-making as a wicketkeeper have presented him as a long-term successor to the talismanic MS Dhoni. 

So, with Dhoni likely to hang up his boots before the next mega auction, the Chennai management is expected to hand over the captaincy reins to Samson. 

This ground-breaking move could also reap rewards for Gaikwad, whose outputs with the bat have been marginalised due to the leadership burden. 

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