Chennai Super Kings may give a leadership role to Sanju Samson in IPL 2026. The experienced wicketkeeper-batter recently joined CSK after several seasons with Rajasthan Royals.
Former India captain Anil Kumble believes Samson could be a strong choice for the vice-captain position in the Chennai Super Kings squad.
Kumble Suggests Leadership Role for Samson
During the Game Plan – Know Your Team show on JioHotstar, Anil Kumble shared his thoughts about Samson’s possible role in the team.
Kumble said the vice-captain position would suit Samson well because he already has experience leading an IPL side.
Samson captained Rajasthan Royals for several seasons before moving to Chennai Super Kings. Because of that experience, Kumble believes Samson can easily handle leadership responsibilities in the CSK setup.
If the decision is made, Samson would serve as vice-captain under Ruturaj Gaikwad, who is the current captain. MS Dhoni is also expected to continue guiding the team as a senior leader in the squad.
Possible CSK Leadership Structure
| Role | Player |
|---|---|
| Captain | Ruturaj Gaikwad |
| Vice-Captain (possible) | Sanju Samson |
| Senior Leader | MS Dhoni |
CSK Looking to Recover After Tough IPL 2025
Chennai Super Kings had a difficult IPL 2025 season. Captain Ruturaj Gaikwad missed several matches due to injury, which forced MS Dhoni to take over the captaincy again during the tournament.
The team struggled throughout the season and finished at the bottom of the points table for the first time in IPL history.
With the new season approaching, CSK will be aiming to improve their performance and challenge for their sixth IPL title.
Also See : Sam Billings Recalls Virat Kohli’s Fiery Reaction During IPL Clash
Chennai Super Kings Squad for IPL 2026
The CSK squad for IPL 2026 includes a mix of experienced international players and promising young talent.
Batters
| Players |
|---|
| Ruturaj Gaikwad (Captain) |
| MS Dhoni (Wicketkeeper) |
| Sanju Samson (Wicketkeeper) |
| Dewald Brevis |
| Ayush Mhatre |
| Kartik Sharma |
| Sarfaraz Khan |
| Urvil Patel (Wicketkeeper) |
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 |
The squad includes multiple wicketkeeping options such as MS Dhoni, Sanju Samson and Urvil Patel.
Sanju Samson’s experience as a former IPL captain could help strengthen CSK’s leadership group.
If he becomes vice-captain, he would support Ruturaj Gaikwad in tactical decisions while also bringing his batting experience to the team.
Chennai Super Kings will be hoping that the new leadership structure and squad balance help them return to strong form in IPL 2026.
