MS Dhoni’s Final IPL? Mohammad Kaif Hints at Sanju Samson as CSK’s Next Captain

Mohammad Kaif believes MS Dhoni played a key role in the possible Jadeja–Samson trade, calling it Dhoni’s final IPL move before retirement.

Amid the ongoing trade discussions between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) involving Sanju Samson, Ravindra Jadeja, and Sam Curran, former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif believes MS Dhoni has been influvential in shaping the deal. According to Kaif, Dhoni’s involvement signals what could be his final major decision in the IPL before retirement.

The former India batter suggested that Dhoni views Samson as a long-term leadership prospect for CSK, even if it means parting ways with proven match-winner Jadeja. Reports from Indian Express also indicate that Jadeja held detailed discussions with Dhoni, current skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad, and head coach Stephen Fleming before agreeing to move to Rajasthan.

“The two players started playing IPL in 2008. Ever since he went to CSK, he hasn’t left it. If the trade is successful, this is Dhoni’s last year. There is also a chance that Dhoni might leave in the middle. If Sanju comes and starts to play, he gets comfortable with the management and Dhoni. In that case, Dhoni might ask Sanju to take over. We left Jadeja, our match-winner over the years, but we need a future captain,” Kaif said on his YouTube channel.

“They previously made Jadeja the captain. He couldn’t manage things. He didn’t like the leadership. In the middle, he said that he can’t do it. Not all players can do captaincy in the IPL. In the long-term plan, Dhoni wants to sacrifice Jadeja to bring in a player who can take over leadership after the Dhoni era,” he continued.

READ ALSO | CSK Reopen Sanju Samson Trade Talks, Offer Jadeja and Curran to Rajasthan Royals: Report

MS Dhoni’s Final IPL May Be Nearing, Says Kaif

Mohammad Kaif also suggested that if the Sanju Samson trade to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) goes through, the IPL 2026 season could mark MS Dhoni’s final appearance. He noted that conversations between Samson and Dhoni might have already taken place behind the scenes as part of the ongoing negotiations.

“If Samson is likely to join CSK, there would be a lot of calls. Sanju must have called on the phone. Behind the scenes, there are a lot of phone calls. Sanju might have spoken to CSK, maybe Dhoni, ‘Bhai kya lagta hai.’ See, Dhoni runs the team, and if CSK wants Sanju this time, then he is also the future captain. It also means that this is Dhoni’s last year. Why would they want Sanju? Jadeja has been playing for them for a long time (since 2012),” Kaif said.

The former India cricketer also highlighted that Samson’s batting style makes him a perfect fit for Chennai’s home conditions at Chepauk.

“The style of batting Sanju Samson has, he is more likely to succeed with the bat in Chennai than Rishabh Pant or KL Rahul. He might come at No. 3 or 4, and he can hit sixes in the middle overs,” he concluded.