Ravichandran Ashwin believes Sanju Samson could become a future captain of Chennai Super Kings, but he also underlined that the wicketkeeper-batter should forge his own identity instead of trying to occupy the space of a past leader. Speaking on CSK’s leadership evolution, the veteran off-spinner said the change has been unfolding for some time, with the groundwork laid during earlier captaincy switches and then solidified in recent seasons.
Ashwin maps CSK’s leadership transition
Ashwin pointed to the period when Ravindra Jadeja briefly led the side as an early moment in that leadership shift, even though it “didn’t quite work out.” From there, the off-spinner suggested the mantle gradually moved toward the current setup.
In Ashwin’s view, Ruturaj Gaikwad has effectively been running the show for the last couple of years, working alongside head coach Stephen Fleming. He also framed the transition as already complete in spirit—implying that captaincy responsibility has been passing hands internally as the team’s internal leadership matured.
What Ashwin said about the captaincy handover
- Ashwin felt the “mantle” was likely to be passed on around the time Jadeja took over the captaincy.
- He said the attempt under Jadeja didn’t fully click, and the leadership roles continued to evolve afterward.
- Ashwin added that Gaikwad has been effectively leading for the past 2–3 years, alongside Fleming.
- He suggested CSK’s current rhythm reflects a settled leadership structure rather than a sudden change.
Samson as a long-term captaincy option
Looking ahead, Ashwin said he can envision Samson eventually steering CSK, though he avoided specifying a timeline. He made it clear that his belief is based on what he sees in the player’s trajectory rather than any certainty about dates.
At the same time, Ashwin cautioned Samson against feeling pressured to replicate the paths of previous CSK captains—an implicit reference to the franchise’s iconic era under MS Dhoni. In Ashwin’s words, leadership should not be about imitation or “stepping into anybody’s shoes,” but about creating something distinct.
Ashwin’s message to Samson
- Ashwin said he sees Samson captaining CSK at some stage.
- He emphasized that it could happen, but he did not offer a specific time frame.
- Ashwin stressed Samson should not feel he must live by someone else’s legacy.
- He argued CSK doesn’t need to mimic the mannerisms or leadership style of earlier eras.
- He encouraged Samson to leave his own “imprint” rather than follow footsteps.
Samson’s turnaround for CSK and next test vs SRH
Meanwhile, Samson’s own season has shifted sharply after a slow start. He joined CSK ahead of the IPL 2026 auction through a trade, and since then has shown signs of finding consistent rhythm and impact at the crease.
After an underwhelming opening phase, Samson responded in style in CSK’s fourth match, producing an unbeaten 115 against Delhi Capitals. He then carried that momentum forward with another strong performance, scoring 48 off 32 deliveries in the subsequent game.
Samson will be back in the spotlight again when CSK face Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium on Saturday.
Key recent performances
- Unbeaten 115 against Delhi Capitals in CSK’s fourth match.
- Followed up with 48 off 32 balls in the next fixture.
- Set for another high-profile outing against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Saturday at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium.
