Wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson of Team India has expressed his thoughts about Ruturaj Gaikwad being the captain of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season. The cricketer from Kerala said that Ruturaj Gaikwad is his best friend and that he wants to be with him in the position of leader.
Samson was transferred from Rajasthan Royals (RR) to the Super Kings just before the IPL 2026 auction. In exchange, the Royals received Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran. It will be the first time that he shares the league with Ruturaj. It is worth mentioning that Gaikwad got out for a golden duck on his IPL debut after being stumped by Samson.
Ruturaj Gaikwad Is a Good Friend of Mine – Sanju Samson
In an interview promo shared by the Chennai Super Kings on X (formerly Twitter), Sanju Samson discussed his relationship with Ruturaj Gaikwad. Samson remarked that Gaikwad is a dear friend and even said that he wishes to play under him as a captain, so he really wants to be part of a team that is led by him.
“Rutu is a very good friend of mine. I want to play under his captaincy. I want to be with him in the role of a leader,” said Samson.
Samson, who has been the captain of Rajasthan Royals in the past years, will not take the lead for Chennai Super Kings. CSK has already stated that Ruturaj will continue to be the captain for the upcoming 2026 season. Samson will not be the captain but will help strengthen the team as he starts his journey with the new franchise.
There Is a Person Called MS Dhoni – Sanju Samson
Sanju Samson stated that it was very lucky for him to be in one of the biggest teams in IPL history. The player said that he has many friends but MS Dhoni, the legendary wicketkeeper, is well known to everybody.
“I am really lucky that I ended up at one of the largest franchises in the history of the IPL. I have a lot of friends, there is a person whom everyone knows. There is a person called MS Dhoni,” added Samson.
Make Chennai Super Kings add another trophy in their cabinet- Sanju Samson
Samson was inviting fans to accept his new team, stating that they have become part of the Chennai Super Kings family now. He asked them to sport the yellow colours and support the team in their quest for another IPL title.
“I won’t say to you that from tomorrow you must start supporting CSK; rather I will say that today, we are the CSK family. Everyone wear the yellow jersey and make Chennai Super Kings win one more trophy,” Samson further said.
The franchise retained Ruturaj Gaikwad before the 2021 season. The right-handed batter scored 635 runs in 16 matches, which included a century and four fifties. He was a primary contributor to CSK’s title victory.
CSK won the trophy again in 2023. Ruturaj made 590 runs from 15 innings, hitting four more half-centuries. Gaikwad has been one of the team’s most dependable scorers. He has accumulated 2,502 runs in 71 matches at an average of over 40 and a strike rate nearing 137, with the figures of two centuries and twenty half-centuries included.
