New Delhi:Sanju Samson has finally broken his silence on taking over theChennai Super Kings (CSK) captaincy from Ruturaj Gaikwad. The wicketkeeper-batter
was traded from the Rajasthan Royals (RR) in a deal worth Rs 18 crore ahead of the IPL 2026 season.
Many felt that Samson would join the team as the new captain, replacing Ruturaj Gaikwad. Former cricketers have also commented on the possibility of Samson becoming the CSK captain in the future. Former CSK cricketer R Ashwin also said that Samson will lead CSK in a few years time.
“I’m no astrologer, but I do see Sanju captaining CSK at some stage. I don’t know when, but I feel it could happen,” said Ashwin.
‘I didn’t come to CSK with demands’
In the latest episode of the Super Kings podcast, Samson talked about the rumours around CSK captaincy and said that he didn’t want to come to a new home with a lot of demands.
“I already had a team. I was already settled in a place. So I wanted to come out of there and join another team. In that kind of transaction, you can’t actually have demands. Honestly, when you are trying to get into a new home, you don’t go there with demands — that’s what I’ve learned, to be very honest,” Samson said on the Super Kings podcast.
He further added that a player first tries to prove his worth in the new team, and perform to the maximum of his ability. The wicketkeeper batter further added that the franchise has shown trust in him and he’s ready to give everything.
“The reason is trust. Back home, if someone trusts you, gives you an opportunity and calls you to work for them, Malayalis will give their life for that trust. CSK has shown trust in me and invited me here, so I am ready to give my everything,” Samson said.
Samson said that he never came to CSK with demands, and he’s only here to play for the team and for his captain. The wicketkeeper-batter also added that he is part of the leadership group in the franchise and doesn’t need the captain tag.
“Even during games, you can see the friendship between Ruturaj and me while we are fielding. We are both working together. That’s something I’m really enjoying. I’m very involved in the decision-making as well. I’m also behaving like a leader,” he added.
Samson has scored 402 runs in 10 matches, including two hundreds and a fifty for the franchise. CSK will next face Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on Sunday, May 10.
