The arrival of Sanju Samson at Chennai Super Kings has already reshaped conversations around the franchise's future - and now, a new role could be taking
shape.
Former India captain Anil Kumble believes Samson could soon become a key figure in CSK's leadership group, even hinting at a vice-captaincy role as the team navigates life beyond MS Dhoni.
Speaking on JioStar, Kumble suggested that Samson's experience as a long-time captain of Rajasthan Royals naturally positions him as a leadership option in Chennai.
"I think that's the perfect role for Sanju, handling those responsibilities almost like a vice-captain. He has captained Rajasthan for a long period of time, so that leadership role comes naturally to him," Kumble said.
A natural fit in CSK yellow
Samson's move to CSK marks the end of an era with Rajasthan Royals, where he spent over a decade as the face of the franchise. But in Chennai, the transition appears smoother than expected.
Kumble pointed to multiple factors that make Samson an ideal addition - his recent form, his wicketkeeper-batter profile, and even his cultural connect.
"Sanju coming in is a great move for CSK. The icing on the cake is his fantastic form leading into the IPL and winning the World Cup for India," he said, adding that Samson's Kerala roots and familiarity with Tamil could strengthen his bond with the Chennai fanbase.
More importantly, his skillset mirrors what CSK have historically valued - a calm wicketkeeper-batter who can anchor innings and contribute to leadership decisions, much like Dhoni.
The CSK succession puzzle
For CSK, the bigger question has long been succession.
With Ruturaj Gaikwad identified as captain, the franchise has tried to maintain continuity. But injuries and past captaincy transitions have shown how fragile that structure can be.
Kumble believes Samson could be the safety net. "In case Ruturaj is unavailable due to injury or otherwise, Sanju would probably take over rather than MS," he said, indicating a shift in how CSK may distribute leadership responsibilities this season.
There is also the possibility of Samson taking over wicketkeeping duties at some stage, further embedding him into the team's core.
Sanju Samson a long-term vision
While the vice-captaincy chatter grows, there is also caution around pushing Samson too quickly into the top job.
Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif believes CSK will take a measured approach, allowing Samson to settle before handing him full leadership responsibilities.
"I don't think CSK will make the mistake of giving Sanju Samson the captaincy right now. you can't expect him to do everything at once," Kaif said.
Instead, the idea is to groom him gradually - learning the team culture, understanding fan expectations, and adapting to the CSK environment before stepping into Dhoni's shoes.
Samson's arrival is not just about strengthening the playing XI - it is about shaping the next phase of CSK's identity.
With Dhoni nearing the twilight of his career, Chennai appear to be building a leadership core rather than relying on a single successor. In that structure, Samson fits as both a bridge and a potential future face.
For now, the captaincy remains with Gaikwad. But if Kumble's prediction holds, IPL 2026 could quietly mark the beginning of Samson's leadership journey in yellow - one that might eventually define CSK's next era.
