Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain Ruturaj Gaikwad recently recalled an interesting old conversation with Sanju Samson ahead of the IPL 2026 season. The CSK captain revealed that the Kerala batsman had expressed curiosity about the team culture and environment of Chennai Super Kings before the trade.
Ahead of the mini auction, Sanju Samson joined the Super Kings, while Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran were traded to Rajasthan Royals. Chennai Super Kings will begin their new campaign against Rajasthan Royals on Monday, March 30 in Guwahati. Notably, MS Dhoni has been ruled out for two weeks.
You should explore this opportunity – Ruturaj Gaikwad recalls conversation with Sanju Samson
During a conversation with Abhinav Mukund, Ruturaj Gaikwad revealed that he advised Sanju Samson to explore the opportunity to join Chennai Super Kings.
“I remember our conversation two-three years ago, when we were in England. You know, he was asking about what’s happening in CSK, how things are and all that. And I said, I think being a southern boy, you should explore this opportunity, you should stay here,” Ruturaj said.
I don’t know whether I was the first or not – Rituraj Gaikwad
Ruturaj Gaikwad further said that Sanju Samson valued the franchise culture over future captaincy prospects when discussing a possible move. Gaikwad also said that he and Samson shared struggles within the Indian national cricket structure.
“I don’t know if I was the first person (to bring this up to him) but I mean, we’ve been friends for a long time and we’ve been in and out of the Indian team, we’ve had similar journeys, similar struggles.”
“So that’s what I expressed to him. When he asked would you be the next captain, the first thing I said to him… I said I don’t know, I don’t really care about captaincy, I love playing here, I love the atmosphere here,” Ruturaj said.
Samson will enter IPL 2026 after a brilliant ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign. He won the Player of the Tournament award by scoring three consecutive half-centuries against West Indies, England and New Zealand.
Sanju Samson replied, ‘I want to play under you’ – Ruturaj Gaikwad
Gaikwad shared that Sanju Samson rejected any captaincy aspirations for the Chennai Super Kings franchise. The captain said that Samson showed full willingness to contribute as a dedicated player.
“I like how the culture is and I’m really happy as a player as well. In fact, he immediately responded ‘I don’t want to be in a situation where I want to be the captain there, I want to play under you, it’s your team, it’s your franchise and I would be happy just being there as a player, but whenever I get a chance, I would definitely love to come,” he concluded.
Rituraj on Sanju pic.twitter.com/8c5z9Rx4l7
– Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) 28 March 2026
MS Dhoni will not be able to play the first two weeks due to calf injury, in such a situation Samson will take over the responsibility of wicketkeeping. Gaikwad and Samson will open the batting together.
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