Chennai Super Kings are preparing for IPL 2026 with Ruturaj Gaikwad continuing as captain. The team recently added Sanju Samson to the squad, which sparked discussion about whether the wicketkeeper-batter could become the new skipper.
However, former South Africa star AB de Villiers believes there should be no confusion. According to him, Gaikwad is the right captain for CSK and the team should continue with him in the leadership role.
AB de Villiers Supports Gaikwad’s Captaincy
AB de Villiers shared his views during a discussion with Star Sports. He said Chennai Super Kings already have a good captain in Ruturaj Gaikwad and there is no need to consider Sanju Samson as a replacement.
Gaikwad has been leading CSK since the captaincy transition from MS Dhoni. De Villiers suggested that the franchise should avoid unnecessary debate about leadership and stay confident with Gaikwad as captain.
He also pointed out that players like Sanju Samson and other senior members of the squad can support Gaikwad while he continues to grow as a leader.
Will Sanju Samson’s Arrival Change CSK Leadership?
Sanju Samson joining CSK created curiosity among fans about possible leadership changes. Samson has plenty of IPL experience and has previously captained Rajasthan Royals.
However, AB de Villiers believes Samson’s presence should not create pressure on Gaikwad. Instead, he feels Samson can add strength to the team as a senior player while Gaikwad remains the captain.
A clear leadership structure, according to de Villiers, will help CSK focus on their performances rather than internal debates.
Gaikwad’s Captaincy Journey with CSK
Ruturaj Gaikwad began leading Chennai Super Kings in 2024. His tenure has seen a few challenges, including injuries and changes in team leadership during the previous seasons.
In IPL 2023, CSK won their fifth title under MS Dhoni. In 2024, Dhoni briefly took back the captaincy before the season began. During IPL 2025, Gaikwad missed several matches due to injury and Dhoni stepped in again as captain for part of the tournament.
Now CSK hope that Gaikwad will lead the team through a full season in IPL 2026.
Also See : Shreyas Iyer Could Become India’s Next T20I Captain, Says Aakash Chopra Before IPL 2026
CSK Captaincy Timeline
| Season | Captain | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|
| IPL 2023 | MS Dhoni | CSK won their fifth title |
| IPL 2024 | Ruturaj Gaikwad / MS Dhoni | Leadership transition period |
| IPL 2025 | Ruturaj Gaikwad / MS Dhoni | Gaikwad missed matches due to injury |
| IPL 2026 | Ruturaj Gaikwad | Expected to lead the team |
CSK Squad for IPL 2026
Chennai Super Kings have built a balanced squad with experienced players and promising young talents.
Batters
| Players |
|---|
| Ruturaj Gaikwad |
| MS Dhoni |
| Sanju Samson |
| Dewald Brevis |
| Ayush Mhatre |
| Kartik Sharma |
| Sarfaraz Khan |
| Urvil Patel |
All-rounders
| Players |
|---|
| Anshul Kamboj |
| Jamie Overton |
| Ramakrishna Ghosh |
| Prashant Veer |
| Matthew Short |
| Aman Khan |
| Zak Foulkes |
| Shivam Dube |
Bowlers
| Players |
|---|
| Khaleel Ahmed |
| Noor Ahmad |
| Mukesh Choudhary |
| Nathan Ellis |
| Shreyas Gopal |
| Gurjapneet Singh |
| Akeal Hosein |
| Matt Henry |
| Rahul Chahar |
CSK Begin IPL 2026 Against Rajasthan Royals
Chennai Super Kings will begin their IPL 2026 campaign against Rajasthan Royals on March 30 in Guwahati.
With a stronger squad that includes Sanju Samson and several international players, the team hopes to perform better than last season and aim for a playoff spot.
Final Thoughts
Chennai Super Kings appear committed to Ruturaj Gaikwad as captain for IPL 2026. Support from experienced players like Sanju Samson could help strengthen the team’s leadership group.
As the season begins, CSK fans will be watching closely to see how Gaikwad leads the side and whether the team can return to its winning form.
