Team India wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson has revealed about playing for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) under Ruturaj Gaikwad in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season. The Kerala-born cricketer said that Ruturaj Gaikwad is his good friend, adding that he wants to be with him as a leader.
Samson moved from Rajasthan Royals (RR) to Super Kings ahead of the IPL 2026 auction. Royals got Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran in return. He will play with Ruturaj for the first time in the league. Notably, Gaikwad was out on a golden duck after being stumped by Samson in his IPL debut.
Ruturaj Gaikwad is my good friend – Sanju Samson
In an interview promo shared by Chennai Super Kings on X (formerly known as Twitter), Sanju Samson talked about his relationship with Ruturaj Gaikwad. Samson said that Gaikwad is his close friend and expressed his desire to play under him and said that he wants to be a part of the team led by him.
Samson said, “Rutu is my good friend. I want to play under his captaincy. I want to be with him as a leader.”
Samson, who captained Rajasthan Royals in recent years, will not lead Chennai Super Kings. CSK has confirmed that Ruturaj will remain the captain for the 2026 season. Samson will focus on strengthening the team as he begins his tenure with his new franchise.
There is a person named MS Dhoni – Sanju Samson
Sanju Samson said that he feels fortunate to be joining one of the biggest teams in IPL history. The batsman said that he has many friends and everyone knows the great wicketkeeper MS Dhoni.
Samson said, “I am very fortunate to have landed in one of the biggest franchises in IPL history. I have a lot of friends, but there is one person who everyone knows. There is a person named MS Dhoni.”
Getting Super Exclusive with Super Chetan!
An interview coming your way, straight from the heart of Sanju Samson!
Full episode today at 6pm #whistlepoddu pic.twitter.com/2gbR8mdtMU– Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) 21 November 2025
Let Chennai Super Kings win another trophy – Sanju Samson
Samson urged the fans to embrace his new team, saying that they are now part of the Chennai Super Kings family. He encouraged them to wear yellow and support the team for another IPL trophy.
Samson said, “I will not tell you that you should start supporting CSK from tomorrow; I will tell you that from today onwards we are part of the CSK family. Everyone, wear the yellow jersey and help Chennai Super Kings win another trophy.”
Ruturaj Gaikwad was retained by the franchise ahead of the 2021 season. The right-handed batsman scored 635 runs in 16 matches, which included one century and four fifties. He played an important role in CSK’s title win.
CSK won the trophy again in 2023. Ruturaj scored 590 runs in 15 innings, which included four more half-centuries. Gaikwad has been one of the most reliable batsmen of the team. He has scored 2,502 runs in 71 matches at an average above 40 and a strike rate close to 137, which includes two centuries and 20 half-centuries.
Also read: Mitchell Starc completes Ashes century, dismisses Joe Root for zero in Perth Test