NEW DELHI: Former India left-arm pacer Irfan Pathan believes Sanju Samson could be the natural successor to MS Dhoni’s role at Chennai Super Kings (CSK), adding that the wicketkeeper-batter is someone fans could ‘identify and connect with.’
Dhoni has led CSK to five IPL titles, but has increasingly batted lower down the order in recent seasons. Samson, meanwhile, is coming off after being Player of the Tournament in India winning the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup. This will be Samson’s first season with CSK after leaving Rajasthan Royals.
“It looks like this will be MS Dhoni’s last season. The signs are there because, if you look at the Chennai setup, they have brought in a wicketkeeper-batsman who can play for the next few years. You can build your team around him and he can be the face of the franchise, that is Sanju Samson.
“He has also upgraded himself in terms of form in international cricket. He has just won a World Cup and has been batting fantastically well. That is one player MS Dhoni would want to pass the baton to, someone who has the caliber to do all that and whom even the fans can identify and connect with.