With another underwhelming IPL outing behind them, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are now looking at what comes next—particularly how the franchise structures its leadership. Expectations around the 2026 season are that CSK will miss out on a top-four finish again, leaving more than just on-field adjustments to be considered. Among the talking points is captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, whose batting and captaincy impact have drawn scrutiny. Former India and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) batter Manoj Tiwary believes CSK should seriously consider giving Sanju Samson the reins ahead of the IPL 2027 campaign.
CSK’s 2026 struggles and the leadership debate
After CSK’s match against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Monday, Tiwary weighed in on what he sees as a leadership problem brewing from the captain’s role as both decision-maker and run-getter. He argued that Gaikwad’s inability to consistently score has diluted the authority that typically comes with captaincy in T20 cricket—where momentum often swings with each over.
- Tiwary highlighted that Gaikwad’s lack of runs has impacted how effective his captaincy has looked.
- He noted that although Gaikwad was expected to step into the shoes of MS Dhoni, he hasn’t fully justified the opportunities provided so far.
- He stressed that a captain’s mindset and positivity are easier to sustain when the individual is also contributing runs.
What Tiwary said about Gaikwad and the “Dhoni-sized” gap
In his discussion, Tiwary used a direct comparison to explain his point. He said there isn’t yet a “Dhoni-sized” role that Gaikwad can simply replicate overnight, and instead called for Gaikwad to focus on building his own identity as a leader. The former batter suggested that Gaikwad should deeply review his past matches, identify specific areas to improve, and only then prepare for the demands of captaincy at the highest level.
“You said Ruturaj needs to fill his (Dhoni’s) shoes. I feel there isn’t any shoe of that size yet. He should focus on building his own legacy, and for that, he has to do extensive research on his past matches and identify where he needs to improve, and only after that can he prepare to be a captain next season. A captain can only be positive when he himself is scoring runs. But he isn’t scoring runs. He is lacking that fluency,” Tiwary said.
Gaikwad’s numbers this season and why they matter
Tiwary’s comments were backed by Gaikwad’s returns in the 2026 campaign. He described a challenging run for the CSK skipper, pointing to both the volume and the rhythm of his output, which he believes has been central to the team’s captaincy storyline.
- Gaikwad scored 321 runs in 13 matches in the 2026 season.
- His average stood at 29.18.
- His strike rate was 120.68.
- He managed two half-centuries during the campaign.
CSK can win without Dhoni—but the team still needs a plan
Tiwary also addressed the idea that CSK can succeed even after Dhoni’s departure from the field. He said the franchise has already shown it can win matches without him, but argued that leadership and team-building decisions cannot be made without accounting for what Dhoni’s presence used to provide.
“As of now, we know CSK can win matches without Dhoni, but if they change the captain, the wicketkeeper, nothing can replace his absence on the field. But rest assured, it has been confirmed that they can win matches without him. They now need to consider how to build the team,” he added.
Why Tiwary thinks Samson could lead CSK in 2027
While the immediate focus is on Gaikwad’s captaincy and scoring, Tiwary’s bigger suggestion is about who should be front and centre in the next cycle. He believes Sanju Samson could become the face of CSK’s leadership for the IPL 2027 season, citing Samson’s earlier captaincy track record with the Rajasthan Royals.
- Tiwary feels Samson has proven his captaincy credentials while leading the Rajasthan Royals.
- He believes Samson could be considered as a leader for CSK ahead of IPL 2027.
- He noted that Gaikwad has been captain for two seasons, and that CSK extended the period this season.
“Let’s see if he remains the captain next season, because I feel that Samson is in the fray. And it will be a good decision as well. If Chennai brought him for a specific reason, they might see him as a leader. Gaikwad has been the captain for two seasons, and that’s why they extended that period this season. But Samson could be the skipper next year. Irrespective of where they finish, they have to decide, and Samson is the best person because he led RR as well and is a good batsman as well,” Tiwary said.
