As IPL 2026 is just a day away, Ruturaj Gaikwad has a message for CSK and Sanju fans. CSK will begin their campaign on 3 April against Punjab Kings at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai. The match will also mark Sanju Samson’s debut for the Yellow Army in a home fixture, making it one of the most anticipated encounters of the season. 3 years ago Sanju asked Ruturaj, how is Mahi bhai? How’s the environment of CSK ? Will you be the next Captain?
Ruturaj on Sanju before joining CSK, Sanju Samson had a candid conversation with Ruturaj three year ago, shedding light on his approach to the move. Sanju asked about MS Dhoni and the team environment at CSK, as well as whether Ruturaj might become the next captain. Ruturaj replied that he focuses on playing and enjoying the team culture rather than captaincy.
Sanju made it clear that he did not want to join CSK solely to lead the side. I want to play under you, it is your team, he said. He added that while he would embrace a leadership opportunity in the future, his priority was to contribute as a player and thrive within CSK’s culture. Ruturaj’s point about focusing on enjoyment over titles resonates with CSK’s philosophy: a dressing room where roles matter more than titles, and even the biggest stars are happy simply to be part of something special.[CSK YT]
Last season with Rajasthan Royals, Sanju Samson played nine matches, scoring 285 runs at an impressive strike rate of 140.39 and an average of 35.63 before his season was cut short due to injury. Over his IPL career spanning 13 seasons, Sanju has played 177 matches and accumulated a total of 4,704 runs, establishing himself as one of the league’s most consistent and impactful Indian batsmen.
Recently, Sanju Samson joined CSK in a high-profile trade involving Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran. Samson left Rajasthan Royals after 11 years, having led the team from 2021 to 2025, to join CSK for INR 18 crore. Jadeja returned to Rajasthan Royals, his first IPL team, with a revised salary of INR 14 crore. This is considered one of the biggest trades in IPL history. CSK aimed to strengthen their top order with a marquee Indian batsman, with Samson to open alongside Ruturaj, who previously mentioned they are expected to form the opening pair this season. Sanju’s brilliant form in the recent T20 World Cup, where he was named Player of the Tournament, has further expectations for strong starts in the upcoming IPL.