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Samson joined Chennai Super Kings in a trade deal from Rajasthan Royals on Saturday, November 15.
Sanju Samson will not captain CSK in IPL 2026. (Picture Credit: X/@ChennaiIPL)
Star Indian wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson, who joined Chennai Super Kings in a trade deal from Rajasthan Royals on Saturday, November 15, will not captain the Chennai-based franchise in the 2026 edition of the cash-rich Indian Premier League. The five-time champions took to X on Saturday evening after the retentions were announced to confirm 28-year-old Indian batter Ruturaj Gaikwad as the captain of the team for the upcoming season.
Gaikwad, who made his IPL debut for CSK in 2020 and has amassed a total of 2502 runs in 71 matches, was appointed as CSK captain ahead of IPL 2024. But in his first season, he failed to lead CSK to the playoffs. In 2025, he played the first five matches of the season for the five-time champions and then got ruled out of the remainder of the tournament due to an injury that he suffered while playing against Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati.
In his absence, MS Dhoni led the side in the remaining nine matches but failed to help CSK avoid the embarrassment of finishing at the bottom of the points table for the first time in IPL history.
After Samson was traded by CSK ahead of the IPL 2026 retention deadline, it was speculated that he might take over as captain as well, but via their social media post which read “Lead the way, captain Ruturaj Gaikwad,” CSK ended all the speculations.
Samson has captained Rajasthan Royals in 65 IPL matches so far and won 32 times. He is the most successful captain in IPL history for the Jaipur-based franchise.
Jadeja to captain RR?
Senior Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, who joined Rajasthan Royals along with Sam Curran as part of the Samson trade deal, is likely to lead the inaugural edition winners in IPL 2026. The franchise is yet to officially announce the new captain of RR, but it has been learnt by News18 that the 36-year-old, who played in the IPL for RR in 2008 and 2009, will get the leadership responsibility.
Jadeja has previously captained CSK in eight matches of IPL 2022 but was only able to win two matches.
If Jadeja is not considered as captain, then Riyan Parag, Yashasvi Jaiswal or Dhruv Jurel can take over from Samson.
Chennai [Madras], India, India
November 16, 2025, 06:48 IST
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