Sanju Samson, who made a high-profile transfer to the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for ₹18 crore (roughly $2.2 million USD) ahead of the IPL 2026 season, has clarified that he never sought the captaincy from MS Dhoni. Instead, he expressed his desire to integrate into the team and prove his worth. In a podcast with former Indian cricketer Abhinav Mukund, he stated, 'When you’re trying to get into a new home, you don’t go there with demands.' Samson has had a stellar debut season, scoring 402 runs in 10 innings at a strike rate of 167, including two centuries and an unbeaten 87. He also voiced strong support for current captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, who has faced scrutiny for his performance and leadership. CSK is currently in fifth place on the IPL 2026 points table with 10 points from 10 matches.