Fact Check: Sanju Samson Did Not Criticize Ruturaj Gaikwad's Captaincy

A viral social media post claiming that Chennai Super Kings (CSK) batter Sanju Samson called captain Ruturaj Gaikwad a “poor captain” has been debunked as false. There is no credible evidence to support these remarks, and Samson has not publicly expressed a desire to replace Gaikwad as CSK captain.

The fabricated post suggested Samson criticized Gaikwad's leadership and blamed him for CSK's recent lack of success. However, Samson, who joined CSK from Rajasthan Royals ahead of the IPL 2026 season, has shown no indication of such sentiments. His focus has been on his performance, where he made a strong start with the Chennai franchise.

In his first season with CSK, Samson emerged as one of their leading batters, scoring 477 runs in 14 matches at an impressive average of 43.46 and a strike rate of 165.62, including two centuries. This strong performance underscores his commitment to the team, refuting any claims of internal discord or criticism towards his captain.