Ruturaj Gaikwad Captain, Sanju Samson In! No MS Dhoni?: CSK's Likely XI In IPL 2026 If Mega Trade Deal Happens
Sanju Samson has shaken up the Indian Premier League (IPL) player trading market after credible reports revealed that the Rajasthan Royals (RR) skipper has formally told the franchise about his desire to leave them, either on a trade deal or being released and entering the auction.
Over the last few months, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have been strongly linked with the player, and those links will gain ever more traction if Samson has indeed asked the Royals to leave. With MS Dhoni in the final years of his career, the five-time champions are in need of a new wicket-keeper batter.
While Dhoni has kept the suspense over whether he will play the 2026 season, the potential arrival of Samson could give confidence to the 43-year-old of a smooth transition. It will not be a surprise if Dhoni decides to bring an end to his playing career and take up a role in the coaching staff.
There is little reason to doubt that Ruturaj will continue to lead the team, which Dhoni has hinted at in a few interviews. The star batter missed the majority of the 2025 season due to an injury, leading to the five-time IPL-winning captain returning to the top job, but his return to injury should see him again take the top job.
While Samson has been leading RR for the last five seasons, CSK is a franchise known to back its players, and it will be a surprise if they change captains.
To trade Samson, CSK will need to release players worth Rs. 18 crore for a trade and even more if they need to buy him in the auction. Even if Dhoni decides to retire, that will leave them 14 crores away from the intended target. R Ashwin was not at his best and his place could come into doubt after being purchased for Rs. 9.25 crore. Devon Conway (Rs. 6.70 crore), Rahul Tripathi (Rs. 3.70 crore), Deepak Hooda (Rs. 1.7 crore), Vijay Shankar (Rs. 1.20 crore) could face the axe.
Last year, during the season, the franchise signed Dewald Brevis, Ayush Mhatre, and Urvil Patil. All of them made an instant impact and are set to be retained.
While the Super Kings will need to sign players in the auction to strengthen their squad, it remains to be seen who they will target.
CSK's Strongest Playing XI if Samson Joins And Dhoni Does Not Play IPL 2026: Ayush Mhatre, Ruturaj Gaikwad (C), Sanju Samson (WK), Shivam Dube, Dewald Brevis, Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran, Noor Ahmed, Khaleel Ahmed, Anshul Kamoj, Matheesha Pathirana
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