New Delhi, April 18
Veteran India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin believes that Sanju Samson could one day take over the captaincy of five-time champions Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League, while stressing that the wicketkeeper-batter should carve his own identity rather than follow in anyone's footsteps.
Speaking about CSK's leadership transition over the years, Ashwin said the shift had already begun during Ravindra Jadeja's brief stint as captain, even though it did not pan out as expected. He added that current skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad has effectively been running the show alongside head coach Stephen Fleming in recent seasons.
"I think the mantle is already passed on. When Jadeja took over the captaincy a few years ago, I think that is when the mantle was likely to be passed on. Didn't quite work out, and then it's been, Ruturaj... I think Ruturaj has been running the show for the last 2-3 years along with Fleming," Ashwin told ESPNCricinfo.
The former CSK player went on to say that Samson could eventually lead the five-time IPL champions, though he refrained from predicting a timeline.
"The mantle passing over, if you ask me, I mean, I'm no astrologer, but all I can tell you is I do see Sanju captaining CSK at some stage. Don't know when, but I do see that happening," he added.
Ashwin, however, emphasised that Samson's leadership should not come with the burden of replicating past greats, in an apparent reference to CSK's legacy under MS Dhoni.
"The one thing I wouldn't want to risk upon or don't want for Sanju is him stepping into anybody's shoes. You don't have to really step into anybody's legacy. We don't necessarily need to live like that nor play like that," he said.
"He's got his own unique clothing in which he lives, and I would like to see his own imprint on it. The very fact that we need to follow somebody's footsteps is where the issue begins. Then we don't live our lives, right? We start catering to somebody else's footprints. That is something I don't want to see him do," he explained.
Meanwhile, Samson, who joined CSK before the IPL 2026 Auction via a trade, has made a strong comeback after a poor start to the season, hammering a century in the fourth match against Delhi Capitals. He continued the momentum in the next match and scored 48 runs off just 32 balls.
Samson will again be in focus when CSK face Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Hyderabad on Saturday.
- IANS
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