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Ravichandran Ashwin claims Sanju Samson could be the future captain of Chennai Super Kings, emphasizing the need for Samson to establish his own legacy. The leadership transition at CSK has been ongoing, with Ruturaj Gaikwad currently at the helm.
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Veteran India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has backed Sanju Samson as a potential future captain of Chennai Super Kings, while making it clear that the wicketkeeper-batter must build his own legacy rather than inherit someone elseās.
Reflecting on CSKās leadership evolution, Ashwin pointed out that the transition has been in motion for a while. He traced it back to the period when Ravindra Jadeja briefly took over the captaincy, even though that phase did not go as planned. Since then, according to Ashwin, current skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad has quietly taken charge alongside head coach Stephen Fleming.
āI think the mantle is already passed on. When Jadeja took over the captaincy a few years ago, I think that is when the mantle was likely to be passed on. Didnāt quite work out, and then itās been, Ruturaj⦠I think Ruturaj has been running the show for the last 2-3 years along with Fleming,ā Ashwin told ESPNCricinfo.
Looking ahead, Ashwin feels Samson could eventually lead the franchise, although he avoided putting a timeframe on it.
āThe mantle passing over, if you ask me, I mean, Iām no astrologer, but all I can tell you is I do see Sanju captaining CSK at some stage. Donāt know when, but I do see that happening,ā he added.
At the same time, Ashwin stressed that Samson should not feel compelled to follow the path set by past leaders, a nod to CSKās iconic era under MS Dhoni.
āThe one thing I wouldnāt want to risk upon or donāt want for Sanju is him stepping into anybodyās shoes. You donāt have to really step into anybodyās legacy. We donāt necessarily need to live like that nor play like that,ā he said.
āHeās got his own unique clothing in which he lives, and I would like to see his own imprint on it. The very fact that we need to follow somebodyās footsteps is where the issue begins. Then we donāt live our lives, right? We start catering to somebody elseās footprints. That is something I donāt want to see him do,ā he explained.
Meanwhile, Sanju Samson, who joined CSK ahead of the IPL 2026 auction through a trade, has turned his season around impressively after an underwhelming start. He produced a stunning unbeaten 115 against Delhi Capitals in CSKās fourth game and carried that form into the next match with a fluent 48 off 32 deliveries.
He will once again be under the spotlight when CSK take on Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium on Saturday.
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Ashwin believes Samson has the potential to lead CSK but must build his own legacy rather than inherit it.
The leadership transition began when Ravindra Jadeja briefly captained the team, followed by Ruturaj Gaikwad's quiet leadership alongside head coach Stephen Fleming.
Ashwin did not provide a specific timeline for when Samson might take over as captain of CSK.
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