Manoj Tiwary Suggests Sanju Samson to Replace Ruturaj Gaikwad as CSK Captain

A Leadership Crisis at Chepauk

The 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) season has been a tumultuous journey for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Once the gold standard of consistency in T20 cricket, the franchise now finds itself at a crossroads. Following a crushing five-wicket defeat against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium, the pressure on current skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad has reached a boiling point. The loss, which saw SRH chase down the target with an over to spare, has left the Yellow Army questioning their future direction.

Manoj Tiwary’s Bold Recommendation

Manoj Tiwary, a former IPL champion with the Kolkata Knight Riders, has not minced his words regarding the current state of CSK. In a candid assessment provided to Cricbuzz, Tiwary suggested that the time has come for the franchise to look beyond Gaikwad. The former India batter explicitly mentioned Sanju Samson as the potential successor to lead the team into a new era.

Reflecting on the monumental task of replacing a legend like MS Dhoni, Tiwary noted, “One says that Gaikwad needed to fill MS Dhoni’s shoes, but the size of those shoes is very big to fill. He has to create his own legacy, and for that to happen, he has to revisit the past and see the places where improvements have to be made. Only then can Chennai continue with the same captain. A leader can be positive and fluent when he is scoring runs, which he isn’t at this moment.”

The Case for Sanju Samson

Tiwary believes that the franchise needs a fresh perspective to regain its winning habit. Sanju Samson, who has long been a centerpiece for the Rajasthan Royals, is viewed by Tiwary as a seasoned leader capable of managing the immense expectations associated with the CSK jersey. “Samson is in the mix to be the next captain, and it will be a good choice,” Tiwary added. “Ruturaj has been the captain for the past two campaigns, which is why he got the job for a third successive season. It doesn’t matter where they end up this season; the team has to decide about the captaincy ahead of the next season. Sanju can do the job as he has already led Rajasthan before and is also a good batter.”

The Statistical Struggle

The numbers paint a challenging picture for Gaikwad. After stepping into the massive void left by MS Dhoni, who captained the side for 244 games, Gaikwad has managed 32 matches as skipper. His record stands at 14 wins and 18 losses, reflecting a win percentage of 43.75%. Furthermore, his personal form has mirrored the team’s struggles; in the recent clash against SRH, he managed just 15 runs off 21 deliveries, failing to provide the explosive start expected of a top-order batter.

Looking Ahead to 2027

While the 2026 campaign is effectively drawing to a close, the management now faces an agonizing wait to see if results elsewhere can propel them into the top four. For SRH, the victory solidified their position, with Pat Cummins praising the “gutsy efforts” of Ishan Kishan and Heinrich Klaasen. Conversely, Gaikwad remains hopeful for the future, stating, “It was a great game till the end, we lost a few home games. We were better compared to last year and hope to come back in 2027 with a stronger unit.”

Whether that “stronger unit” involves a change in leadership remains the most significant question for the Chennai faithful during the upcoming off-season. As the franchise prepares for a massive transition, the debate over whether Gaikwad needs more time to settle or if an established leader like Samson is required will undoubtedly dominate the discourse in the coming months.