"CSK is benefiting in 2 ways" - Cheteshwar Pujara on Sanju Samson and Ravindra Jadeja's potential trade ahead of IPL 2026 auction

Former India player Cheteshwar Pujara has opined that the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) would benefit in two ways if they trade in Sanju Samson while letting go of Ravindra Jadeja to the Rajasthan Royals (RR). He pointed out that Samson could resolve the franchise's top-order and long-term wicketkeeper-batter issues.

Reports suggest that CSK would trade in Samson from RR before the retention deadline on November 15. The five-time champions will reportedly trade Jadeja and Sam Curran to the Jaipur-based franchise.

During a discussion on Star Sports, Pujara reckoned that the Super Kings' acquisition of Samson would stabilize their underperforming top order.

"With this trade, CSK is benefiting in two ways. One, their top order, that didn't perform that well in the last IPL. If Sanju comes in the top order, they get stability there," he said.

The former India batter added that Samson would also act as a long-term wicketkeeper-batter replacement for MS Dhoni.

"Secondly, what Aakash Chopra spoke about, they are thinking about the future. We don't know when Mahi bhai (Dhoni) will leave, but the long-term wicketkeeper-batter they need after Mahi bhai, they are seeing that in Sanju Samson," Pujara observed.

MS Dhoni will reportedly continue to play for the Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2026. However, it remains to be seen if he plays all games next season or sits out a few matches to prepare the team for his future absence.

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"I feel he will remain the captain" - Cheteshwar Pujara on Ruturaj Gaikwad as CSK skipper after Sanju Samson's potential arrival

Ruturaj Gaikwad was CSK's captain in IPL 2025 before suffering a fracture in his elbow. [P/C: Getty]

In the same discussion, Cheteshwar Pujara was asked whether he sees Ruturaj Gaikwad continuing to captain the Chennai Super Kings after Sanju Samson's potential arrival.

"I feel he will remain the captain because of the way he has led. The team's performance might not have been that good, but his captaincy wasn't bad. When you are leading a big team, especially when Mahi bhai, Ravindra Jadeja, and many senior players are in the team, it's not easy to captain taking all those players along," he replied.

While acknowledging that Samson is a captaincy option, the former CSK player opined that the franchise needs to show faith in Gaikwad as skipper for one more season.

"The way Ruturaj has performed as a player and even as a captain, I don't think he should miss out. Sanju, yes, is another candidate. He is definitely an option for CSK if he comes there. However, if you have shown faith in a player, show faith for one more season in the same captain because Ruturaj is an excellent player and a good captain," Pujara observed.

Former India players Aakash Chopra and Saba Karim concurred with Cheteshwar Pujara that Ruturaj Gaikwad should continue to lead the Chennai Super Kings. The latter reasoned that there should be continuity in the team, which would only happen if Gaikwad is persisted with as captain.