Manoj Tiwary Urges CSK to Replace Ruturaj Gaikwad with Sanju Samson
A Leadership Crisis at the Chepauk
The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season has been a taxing journey for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Once the giants of the league, the four-time champions found themselves on the back foot during their latest outing at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, succumbing to a five-wicket defeat against the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). As the dust settles on another difficult campaign, the conversation has inevitably shifted toward the team’s leadership.
Manoj Tiwary Weighs In on the Captaincy Debate
Former Kolkata Knight Riders champion and Indian international Manoj Tiwary has voiced strong opinions regarding the current state of the franchise. Following the loss to SRH, Tiwary did not mince his words, suggesting that the time has come for CSK to look beyond Ruturaj Gaikwad. The 40-year-old expert explicitly named Sanju Samson as the ideal successor to lead the Yellow Army in the future.
Gaikwad, who inherited the mantle from the legendary MS Dhoni, has struggled to find his rhythm as a leader. Tiwary pointed out the immense pressure associated with stepping into such a role, stating, “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 a change is necessary for the franchise to rebuild its identity. He emphasized that Sanju Samson represents a proven commodity in the IPL arena. “Samson is in the mix to be the next captain, and it will be a good choice. 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,” Tiwary added during his analysis.
Analyzing the Numbers: Gaikwad’s Tenure
The transition from MS Dhoni to Ruturaj Gaikwad was always going to be an uphill task. Dhoni served as the heartbeat of the side for a staggering 244 games. In contrast, Gaikwad has managed 32 games, recording 14 victories and 18 losses, resulting in a win percentage of 43.75%. While statistics alone do not define a captain, the lack of consistency in his personal batting form—notably a 21-ball 15 against SRH—has fueled the narrative that the burden of leadership may be affecting his individual performance.
The Path Forward for CSK
As the curtains close on the 2026 season, CSK finds itself in a precarious position, requiring favorable results elsewhere to even dream of a playoff berth. While Pat Cummins and the Sunrisers Hyderabad celebrated their qualification, the mood in the CSK dressing room remains reflective.
Reflecting on the loss, Gaikwad remained diplomatic about the future, noting, “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 or not that unit will be led by him remains the most significant question for the CSK management to answer during the upcoming off-season. As the franchise prepares for 2027, the pressure to restore the glory days will be higher than ever, and every strategic decision—especially regarding the captaincy—will be scrutinized with intensity.
Aarav Malhotra is a cricket features writer from Pune specializing in player biographies, IPL season stories, and emerging cricket talents. His content focuses on storytelling-driven sports journalism optimized for modern cricket audiences and search platforms.
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