Sanju Samson’s high-profile move from the Rajasthan Royals to the Chennai Super Kings has ignited one of the biggest talking points ahead of the forthcoming IPL season. Despite being one of the most seasoned captains in the league, the 31-year-old wicketkeeper-batter will not assume leadership duties at his new franchise. Instead, Chennai Super Kings have reaffirmed that Ruturaj Gaikwad will continue as captain, putting to rest rampant speculation about Samson taking over the role.
Chennai’s official announcement on social media left no room for doubt: “Lead the charge, captain Ruturaj Gaikwad.” Fans and analysts had anticipated that Samson’s arrival—coming on the back of Jadeja and Curran’s departure—might herald a leadership reshuffle. His proven record at Rajasthan, where he captained with distinction over multiple seasons, seemed to make him an ideal candidate to guide CSK, a franchise renowned for its strong captaincy tradition under MS Dhoni.
The strategic overhaul at Chennai has been significant. During the IPL trading window, the franchise released two major all-rounders, Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran, signalling a shift in team dynamics. Samson, widely regarded for his explosive batting at the top of the order, is expected to feature primarily as a top-order batter rather than as the team’s leader.
Ruturaj Gaikwad’s captaincy history has been a mixed bag. Appointed after Dhoni stepped aside in 2024, he struggled to maintain consistent team performance, finishing fifth in his debut season and at the bottom of the table in 2025. Gaikwad also battled injuries, missing several games during which Dhoni temporarily returned to provide stability and guidance. Despite these challenges, CSK management has chosen to retain faith in Gaikwad, indicating a long-term vision for his leadership.
The franchise has further strengthened its squad ahead of the mini-auction. Key players such as Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, and Matheesha Pathirana have been released, giving CSK flexibility and a substantial purse of ₹43.40 crore to bolster their ranks. With a maximum of eight new signings allowed, including four overseas players, the upcoming auction in Abu Dhabi promises to be a high-stakes affair for the five-time champions.
The mini-auction is scheduled for 16 December at the Etihad Arena, where CSK will aim to address squad gaps and build a balanced team capable of reclaiming the IPL trophy they last lifted in 2023. As fans digest Samson’s new role, the focus now shifts to how the explosive batter adapts to life without the captain’s armband.