CSK Reportedly Eyes Samson for Captaincy Ahead of IPL 2027

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) is reportedly considering a significant leadership change ahead of the Indian Premier League 2027 season, with Sanju Samson emerging as a potential successor to current captain Ruturaj Gaikwad. The franchise has failed to qualify for the playoffs for three consecutive seasons, including the recently concluded IPL 2026, prompting discussions about the team's direction. Ruturaj Gaikwad's captaincy and batting performance in IPL 2026 have drawn criticism. He scored 337 runs in 14 matches at an average of 28.08 and recorded the lowest powerplay strike rate among all batters in the competition. Former India opener Sadagoppan Ramesh has publicly advocated for the franchise to consider Sanju Samson for the captaincy if a change is made. Ramesh highlighted Samson's experience as a leader, noting his record of captaining 66 IPL matches for Rajasthan Royals, with 33 wins and a 50 percent success rate. Under his leadership, Rajasthan Royals reached the IPL final and made another playoff appearance. Samson joined CSK in a trade deal from Rajasthan Royals and had a strong IPL 2026 season, scoring 477 runs in 14 matches at an average of 43.36.