Sanju Samson CSK Captain: It is often in the Indian Premier League that auction buys become the talk of the town; however, before IPL 2026, there had seldom been a trade that gathered as much attention as the Sanju Samson to Chennai Super Kings trade. The wicketkeeper batter, having captained the Rajasthan Royals, moved to CSK with Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran joining RR. Samson came to CSK being looked at as the replacement of MS Dhoni behind the stumps while providing a solid opening option at the top of the order. But, there were speculations as to whether the Team India wicketkeeper batter would be leading the side as well as taking the captaincy from Ruturaj Gaikwad. Sanju Samson, meanwhile, opened up on how he did not ask for captaincy when coming to CSK ahead of IPL 2026.
WATCH: What Did Sanju Samson Say About Replacing Ruturaj Gaikwad as CSK Captain?
With a brief statement during an appearance on the Super Kings Podcast with Abhinav Mukund, Sanju Samson seemed to have completely put an end to the Chennai Super Kings captaincy rumours. Before the IPL 2026 season, Samson was traded in for Rs. 18 crore from the Rajasthan Royals. Many believed he would replace Ruturaj Gaikwad as the team’s new captain.
When asked about the possibility of becoming CSK captain, Sanju Samson said, “No. I already had a team. I already had a place. I wanted to come out of there and join another team. So in that transaction, you can’t actually have demands. Honestly, you are trying to get in a new home. When you’re trying to get into a new home, you don’t go there with demands, is what I have learned to be very honest.”
Why Did Sanju Samson Choose Chennai Super Kings for IPL 2026?
Sanju Samson, with his move from the Rajasthan Royals to the Chennai Super Kings ahead of IPL 2026, created headlines. While it was also a homecoming for Ravindra Jadeja during the trade-off it was Samson who remained at the centre of all attention during the trade. Talking about his decision, the wicketkeeper batter said, “I don’t let emotions rule me on the field. I left Rajasthan Royals because I felt my time in the team was over.”
Sanju Samson vs MS Dhoni Popularity: Can the CSK Star Win Over Chennai Fans?
Since the inception of the Indian Premier League, MS Dhoni’s name has been synonymous with the Chennai Super Kings. However, as a possible retirement approached the former CSK skipper, it was only natural for the team management and owners to look at not just a replacement on the field but off it as well. With the IPL being as much a cricketing tournament as it is a popularity contest, someone who could match or come close to MS Dhoni’s popularity was eyed. Sanju Samson, hailing from Kerala, has an immense fan following and popularity in Southern India. However, it was his performance in the T20 World Cup 2026 where he was named the player of the series, which meant that love was pouring for the wicketkeeper batter from every part of the country. He is expected to match MS Dhoni’s popularity with CSK in the years to come.
CSK vs LSG: Sanju Samson’s IPL 2026 Performance so Far
Sanju Samson has unarguably been the best player for the Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2026. The wicketkeeper batter has scored 402 runs in the season, which includes two centuries. Samson has been named the player of the match in three out of five matches where CSK has won so far in the season. Ahead of CSK’s 11th game against Lucknow Super Giants, Sanju Samson will once again be shouldering a lot of responsibility behind the stumps as well as in front of them.
How has Sanju Samson fared as captain in IPL?
| Category | Span | Matches | Won | Lost | No Result | W/L Ratio | Winning Percentage (%) |
| Sanju Samson (RR) | 2021-2025 | 67 | 33 | 32 | 1 | 1.03 | 49.25 |
Sanju Samson came to the Chennai Super Kings on the back of some captaincy experience in the IPL. The wicketkeeper batter led the Rajasthan Royals in 67 games, winning 33 of them. Under his leadership, RR made it to the playoffs twice and even reached the final in 2022. Notably, in 2022, the Rajasthan Royals’ only second appearance in the final after winning the tournament in 2008.
