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CSK Next Captain: Who Could MS Dhoni Pick Between Sanju Samson And Ruturaj Gaikwad?

Probuddha Bhattacharjee

Sanju Samson and Ruturaj Gaikwad [Source: AFP Media]Sanju Samson and Ruturaj Gaikwad [Source: AFP Media]

The IPL trade window is open, and the most talked-about move is that of Sanju Samson from RR to CSK. There are talks that the Royals will demand two players in exchange for their current skipper.

If everything falls in place, the five-time IPL champions might be left standing at the horns of a dilemma. Their current skipper, Ruturaj Gaikwad, has been at the helm for the last two years. But his leadership has not yielded the expected results. 

So, if Samson arrives at CSK, the management will have to select a captain. In this article, we will try to analyse who among Sanju and Gaikwad will be the perfect candidate as the leader for the Super Kings for the future. 

Sanju Samson vs Ruturaj Gaikwad: Experience

Sanju Samson has led the Rajasthan Royals in 67 matches. As a skipper, he has won 33 games and lost 32, with one match ending in a tie and another in a no-result. On the other hand, Ruturaj Gaikwad has led the Super Kings in 19 games. While he has eight wins under his name as a leader, he has lost 11 games. As far as the winning percentage is concerned, Samson is the outright winner.

However, the sample size for Gaikwad is not huge. So, let us look at the experience of the two players in the role. While Samson has taken the Royals to the IPL 2022 final, under Gaikwad, Chennai Super Kings have failed to replicate their well-established consistency of reaching the play-offs.

Also, tactically, Samson appears to have a bit of an edge over Gaikwad as he has been part of high-voltage games while playing the role more than the Kerala-born wicketkeeper-batter.

Sanju Samson vs Ruturaj Gaikwad: The Wicketkeeper Angle

Well, wicketkeeper and their role as captain have been hyped a lot. CSK have had a legendary skipper who controlled the game from behind the stumps.

It is often said that a wicketkeeper gets the best view of the field. He is the best person to coordinate the whole team. Also, as far as field placement is concerned, a keeper has the best idea of how to cut the angles on the field.

Given the advantage that a wicketkeeper has on the field and CSK's general comfort of having a keeper leading their team, Samson could be their choice.

Sanju Samson vs Ruturaj Gaikwad: Age Factor And Eye On The Future

Ruturaj Gaikwad is currently 28, and by the start of the next edition of the tournament, he will be 29. On the other hand, Samson is currently 30 and would be 31 by IPL 2026. So, if the Super Kings are looking for immediate results, then Samson could be their go-to man. However, if they are planning for the future and are hoping for a leader who can lead them for the next five to six seasons, then Gaikwad seems to be the perfect choice.

There is also a middle path that the CSK management can take. Appoint Samson as the skipper and have Gaikwad as his deputy. This will give Gaikwad, the captain, an even greater perspective as a leader with MS Dhoni and Samson grooming him. In a couple of years, Gaikwad could transform into a leader who builds his legacy as a captain in the IPL.

Conclusion

The three metrics that we have considered determines that Sanju Samson might be the better option for the Royals. However, if they are looking for a option that could good give them dependancy for future, Gaikwad seems to be the right choice.