IPL 2026: CSK confirm Ruturaj Gaikwad remains captain after Sanju Samson trade

Chennai Super Kings put an early end to all speculation surrounding their captaincy by announcing that Ruturaj Gaikwad will remain at the helm for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season. The confirmation came shortly after the franchise released its list of retained and released players.

Rumours had been swirling that Sanju Samson might take over the captaincy after being traded from Rajasthan Royals in one of the biggest



pre-auction moves ahead of the 2026 season. Some pundits even suggested that Samson may have agreed to the switch to Super Kings only after seeking assurances about the leadership role.

However, CSK clarified the situation in a social media post, confirming that Ruturaj Gaikwad will continue to lead the side.

CSK will head into the auction with the second-biggest purse Rs 43.4 crore with nine slots to fill.