![\"IPL](\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/thumb\/msid-130353131,imgsize-178216,width-400,height-225,resizemode-4\/ipl-2026-csk-vs-dc.jpg\" "\\"Chennai")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nVeteran India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin<\/a> has backed Sanju Samson<\/a> as a potential future captain of Chennai Super Kings<\/a>, while making it clear that the wicketkeeper-batter must build his own legacy rather than inherit someone else\u2019s.Reflecting on CSK\u2019s leadership evolution, Ashwin pointed out that the transition has been in motion for a while. He traced it back to the period when Ravindra Jadeja briefly took over the captaincy, even though that phase did not go as planned. Since then, according to Ashwin, current skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad has quietly taken charge alongside head coach Stephen Fleming. <\/p>\n Watch<\/span><\/p>\n Ajinkya Rahane press conference: On another defeat, Cameron Green and more<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n \u201cI think the mantle is already passed on. When Jadeja took over the captaincy a few years ago, I think that is when the mantle was likely to be passed on. Didn\u2019t quite work out, and then it\u2019s been, Ruturaj\u2026 I think Ruturaj has been running the show for the last 2-3 years along with Fleming,\u201d Ashwin told ESPNCricinfo.Looking ahead, Ashwin feels Samson could eventually lead the franchise, although he avoided putting a timeframe on it.\u201cThe mantle passing over, if you ask me, I mean, I\u2019m no astrologer, but all I can tell you is I do see Sanju captaining CSK at some stage. Don\u2019t know when, but I do see that happening,\u201d he added.At the same time, Ashwin stressed that Samson should not feel compelled to follow the path set by past leaders, a nod to CSK\u2019s iconic era under MS Dhoni.\u201cThe one thing I wouldn\u2019t want to risk upon or don\u2019t want for Sanju is him stepping into anybody\u2019s shoes. You don\u2019t have to really step into anybody\u2019s legacy. We don\u2019t necessarily need to live like that nor play like that,\u201d he said.\u201cHe\u2019s got his own unique clothing in which he lives, and I would like to see his own imprint on it. The very fact that we need to follow somebody\u2019s footsteps is where the issue begins. Then we don\u2019t live our lives, right? We start catering to somebody else\u2019s footprints. That is something I don\u2019t want to see him do,\u201d he explained.Meanwhile, Sanju Samson, who joined CSK ahead of the IPL 2026 auction through a trade, has turned his season around impressively after an underwhelming start. He produced a stunning unbeaten 115 against Delhi Capitals in CSK\u2019s fourth game and carried that form into the next match with a fluent 48 off 32 deliveries.He will once again be under the spotlight when CSK take on Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium on Saturday.<\/p>\n