Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif has stated that Chennai Super Kings won't make a mistake by giving Sanju Samson the captaincy in the upcoming season of IPL. Samson’s move has already created plenty of buzz, with expectations building around him as a long-term leader, especially with MS Dhoni nearing the final phase of his career. The wicketkeeper-batter heads into the tournament on the back of a superb T20 World Cup campaign, where he played a key role in India’s title-winning run, further strengthening his case as a dependable figure for the franchise.
Sanju Samson will play for CSK in IPL 2026. (REUTERS)
{{^htLoading}} {{/htLoading}}
Samson was the face of Rajasthan Royals for over a decade, representing the franchise across 11 seasons. His move to Chennai Super Kings brings fresh challenges, placing him under intense scrutiny as expectations rise for the team to bounce back from the disappointments of the past few seasons.
Kaif said CSK won’t hand Samson the captaincy immediately, as expecting him to bat, keep wickets, and lead all at once would be too much. The plan is to let him grow into the role gradually, eventually stepping into Dhoni’s shoes, which is the long-term vision.
“I don’t think CSK will make the mistake of giving Sanju Samson the captaincy right now, because he has just joined. You can’t expect him to do everything at once, bat and win matches, keep wickets, and also captain the side. You don’t want to put that entire burden on him. The plan is to slowly let him grow into the role and eventually step into Dhoni’s shoes. That’s the long-term vision,” Kaif said on his YouTube channel.
'Sanju still doesn’t fully understand Chennai’s culture'
{{/usCountry}}
The former batter further said there won’t be major changes at CSK, and backing Gaikwad as captain makes sense. He added that handing the role to new recruit Samson now would be premature, as he is still learning Chennai’s culture, fan expectations, and team dynamics.
“So there won’t be too many changes there. If responsibility has been given to Gaikwad, they won’t rush things. They will back him, and I feel that giving the captaincy to Sanju right now would be the wrong decision. I’ll explain the reason. The reason is that Sanju still doesn’t fully understand Chennai’s culture. He doesn’t yet know the expectations of Chennai’s fans or the dynamics of the players,” said Kaif.
Aditya Maheshwari is a Chief Content Producer and sports journalist with over seven years of experience covering the sports beat across formats and platforms. A cricket-first reporter by profession, he also follows football closely and considers it an integral part of his sporting journey. His work is shaped by a strong on-ground understanding of the game and an ability to translate match-day moments into clear, engaging stories that connect with readers across digital audiences. Over the years, he has developed a balanced approach that combines factual accuracy with narrative clarity, ensuring that both breaking developments and deeper insights are presented with context. Aditya has reported from the field at several major tournaments, including the ICC Cricket World Cup, the Indian Premier League, and the Indian Super League. First-hand coverage of these events has strengthened his ability to read the pulse of high-pressure contests, whether through live reporting, post-match analysis, or long-form storytelling. Working closely around teams, venues, and evolving storylines has helped him develop a strong sense of timing and editorial judgment. While cricket remains his primary focus, Aditya regularly reports on football and keeps a close watch on other sports such as tennis, hockey, and badminton. His wide-ranging interest allows him to approach stories with broader perspective, understanding how different sporting ecosystems function and evolve. Comfortable in fast-paced digital newsrooms, Aditya is well-versed in modern sports coverage, from live blogs and real-time updates to in-depth analysis and audience-focused storytelling. He believes in keeping sports writing simple, accurate, and grounded, with emphasis on clarity over complexity. At the core of his work lies a commitment to credible reporting and telling stories that go beyond the numbers on the scoreboard, highlighting the people, preparation, and pressure behind every performance.
Get live cricket scores, match updates, schedules, results and ICC rankings. Follow the latest news, statistics and performances of top teams and players on Hindustan Times.
Get live cricket scores, match updates, schedules, results and ICC rankings. Follow the latest news, statistics and performances of top teams and players on Hindustan Times.
Home/Cricket/Kaif tells CSK to adopt long-term vision for Sanju Samson as Dhoni’s successor: ‘Doesn’t know Chennai fans expectations’
{{^htLoading}}
Advertisement
{{/htLoading}}
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
{{#usCountry}}{{/usCountry}}
Hindustantimes wants to start sending you push notifications. Click allow to subscribe
