‘We Don’t Know When Mahi Bhai Will Leave…’: Pujara On Samson-Jadeja Trade Buzz | Cricket News

CSK might be looking at Samson to replace Dhoni in the near future

Former India cricketer Cheteshwar Pujara has said that Chennai Super Kings will benefit in twin ways with the reported Sanju Samson-Ravindra Jadeja trade, adding that with former India captain MS Dhoni’s career at the fag end, Chennai will have a wicketkeeper-batter replacement in Samson.

Reports indicate that CSK are looking to bring in Samson from RR before the November 15 retention deadline, with Jadeja and Sam Curran all set to move to the Jaipur-based team in return.

Speaking on Star Sports, Pujara suggested that bringing in Samson would help stabilise CSK’s struggling top order.

“With this trade, CSK is benefiting in two ways. One, their top order, that did not perform that well in the last IPL. If Sanju comes in the top order, they get stability there,” Pujara said.

“Secondly, what Aakash Chopra spoke about, they are thinking about the future. We don’t know when Mahi bhai (Dhoni) will leave, but the long-term wicketkeeper-batter they need after Mahi bhai, they are seeing that in Sanju Samson,” Pujara added.

Reports claim Dhoni will continue with CSK in IPL 2026, but it is still unclear whether he will play every game or skip some to help the team prepare for life after him.

“I feel he (Gaikwad) will remain the captain because of the way he has led. The team’s performance might not have been that good, but his captaincy was not bad. When you are leading a big team, especially when Mahi bhai, Ravindra Jadeja and many senior players are in the team, it isn’t easy to captain taking all those players along,” Pujara said.

“The way Ruturaj has performed as a player and even as a captain, I don’t think he should miss out. Sanju, yes, is another candidate. He is definitely an option for CSK if he comes there,” Pujara added.