Chennai Super Kings looked like putting their campaign back on track with two consecutive wins but lost again to Sunrisers Hyderabad chasing 180-plus target. Led by Ruturaj Gaikwad, CSK are now at the lower half of the table after losing four games from six matches.
The Chennai franchise had finished at the bottom of the points table last season as Gaikwad struggles to change the fortune of the side with his leadership. CSK have not been able to find an ideal man to fill in the big shoes of MS Dhoni. However, former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin says that the arrival of Sanju Samson in the CSK camp hints to a leadership change.
“I’m no astrologer, but I do see Sanju captaining CSK at some stage. I don’t know when, but I feel it could happen. That said, I wouldn’t want him to step into someone else’s shoes or legacy. He should create his own identity and play his own way,” Ashwin said on ESPNcricinfo.
Samson moved to CSK this season on a transfer deal and had earlier captained Rajasthan Royals, leading them to the 2022 IPL final where they lost to Gujarat Titans.
“When he’s in a good space, he makes very good decisions. He’s had both good and ordinary days, but what stands out is his ability to take feedback. Not many captains do that well. He also connects with players on a personal level, not just professionally, and that really helps build strong relationships,” Ashwin added.
Ashwin also delved on the changed approach to T20 cricket where impact and results matter a lot. “We’ve come from a cricketing culture where milestones like 50s and 100s mattered a lot, but T20 is not about individual scores. It’s more like football now—it’s about impact, attacking, defending, and getting results. I think both fans and players are still adapting to that mindset,” he said.
There would be more expectations from Samson after Ayush Mhatre has been sidelined due to injury. CSK’s next match is against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium on April 23.
