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‘CSK captaincy must be changed’: Sanju Samson backed to take over from Ruturaj Gaikwad | Cricket News

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‘CSK captaincy must be changed’: Sanju Samson backed to take over from Ruturaj Gaikwad
Sanju Samson (Image credit: IPL)

Chennai Super Kings have built their reputation on stability, but the franchise could be forced to make some major calls ahead of the 2027 Indian Premier League season.The five-time champions have endured a difficult phase, missing out on the playoffs for three successive seasons. Their 2026 campaign was further complicated by skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad’s struggles with the bat, while the arrival of Sanju Samson from Rajasthan Royals sparked debate over whether CSK could consider a leadership change.Although CSK have traditionally avoided knee-jerk decisions, former India batter Sadagoppan Ramesh has now backed Samson to take over the captaincy if the franchise decides to move on from Gaikwad.Samson brings considerable leadership experience from his time at Rajasthan Royals. The wicketkeeper-batter, who was named Player of the Tournament at the 2026 T20 World Cup, moved to CSK ahead of the 2026 IPL and finished the season as the franchise’s highest run-scorer.Ramesh believes those credentials make Samson a serious option for CSK.“CSK are seemingly considering many options for the captaincy and even wondering whether a change is needed. Sanju Samson should be considered as captain because he’s such a fantastic team player. The CSK captaincy must be changed, and if it is, CSK must seriously consider Sanju Samson,” said Ramesh on his Instagram handle.He also pointed to Samson’s IPL captaincy record, while stressing that changing the skipper alone would not solve all of CSK’s problems.“Samson has also captained 66 matches in the IPL and won 33. So he has a 50% success rate. Under him, RR performed well, reaching the final and making another playoff appearance. Of course, CSK need several other things to change, and just making Sanju the captain won’t win them the trophy. But if at all they change captains, Sanju must be strongly considered,” he added.

Gaikwad’s difficult 2026 season

Gaikwad’s position has come under scrutiny following a disappointing campaign in 2026.The right-hander scored 337 runs at an average of 28.08 and also recorded the lowest strike rate among all batters during the powerplay. His struggles added to the questions surrounding CSK’s leadership ahead of the next season.Ramesh is not the first former CSK player to suggest that Gaikwad could benefit from stepping away from the captaincy.Former CSK and India batter Subramaniam Badrinath had previously argued that Gaikwad should be relieved of leadership duties and allowed to concentrate entirely on his batting.“So once you remove him from captaincy, he’ll perform well as a batter. It won’t be a harsh decision if he is stripped of captaincy. It’s more beneficial for the player and the franchise. It’ll only do Gaikwad a world of good. This is not new to him alone. Even greats like Sachin Tendulkar have been affected by captaincy. If you are someone who is intense and thinks too much, it’s hard to detach from captaincy even while batting,” he had said on his YouTube channel.CSK themselves have several decisions to make before the 2027 season. The franchise are currently looking for a new head coach after Stephen Fleming stepped down earlier this year.There is also uncertainty surrounding MS Dhoni’s future, with it still unclear whether the former India captain will continue playing for CSK in the 2027 IPL.

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Evan Ferguson Edges Closer to Brighton Return After Ankle Injury

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6 minutes ago

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5 September 2026

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Republic of Ireland striker Evan Ferguson is moving closer to a Brighton return, but manager Fabian Hurzeler says there is still no firm date for his comeback.

Evan Ferguson is making progress in his recovery from the ankle injury that brought an early end to his loan spell at Roma.

Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler provided an encouraging update on Friday, September 4, confirming that Ferguson remains in rehabilitation but is drawing nearer to a playing return.

The 21-year-old has not been given a precise comeback date. Brighton appear determined to avoid rushing a player whose recent seasons have repeatedly been interrupted by fitness problems.

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Brighton prioritising complete recovery

Ferguson underwent surgery after suffering the ankle injury that ended his 2025-26 campaign. His loan with Roma concluded after 22 appearances and five goals for the Serie A club.

Hurzeler said the striker was “getting closer” but could not provide a clear timescale. The Brighton manager stressed that physical rehabilitation is only one part of the process.

Regaining complete confidence in the injured ankle will be equally important. For a centre-forward, explosive movements, changes of direction and contact with defenders can expose any lingering uncertainty following a long absence.

Hurzeler believes Ferguson must feel entirely secure in his body before returning to Premier League football. That approach suggests Brighton will continue to judge his recovery by its quality rather than by setting an artificial deadline.

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Ferguson Recovery Update





Status: Continuing rehabilitation
Return date: Not yet confirmed
Roma record: Five goals in 22 appearances
European squad: Omitted from Brighton’s Conference League league-phase list


A major player for club and country

Ferguson was among five senior Brighton players left out of the club’s squad for the league phase of the UEFA Conference League. The list can be changed before the knockout rounds, leaving open the possibility of a European role if Brighton progress and Ferguson proves his fitness.

His return would also be significant for the Republic of Ireland. Ferguson has the physical presence and finishing ability to offer Ireland a focal point in attack, but persistent injuries have prevented him from building sustained momentum.

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Hurzeler remains convinced of the striker’s quality, pointing to the level Ferguson reached during his breakthrough period at Brighton. The next challenge is to restore the confidence, sharpness and physical durability that accompanied that rise.

For now, the absence of a deadline should not be interpreted as a setback. Ferguson is progressing, and Brighton’s cautious handling of his rehabilitation is intended to give him the best chance of returning without another interruption.


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London Squash Classic: Anahat Singh loses to Malaysia’s Sivasangari in quarterfinals | More sports News

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20 minutes ago

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5 September 2026

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London Squash Classic: Anahat Singh loses to Malaysia’s Sivasangari in quarterfinals

India’s Anahat Singh’s campaign at the London Squash Classic ended in the quarterfinals after she lost to Malaysia’s world No. 5 Sivasangari Subramaniam in London on Friday.The reigning world junior champion went down 4-11, 4-11 in the women’s quarterfinal of the PSA Gold event.Third seed Sivasangari controlled the match from the start and completed a 2-0 (11-4, 11-4) win in just 17 minutes. She will now face second seed and reigning world champion Amina Orfi of Egypt in the semifinals.Anahat, who is ranked world No. 20, had reached the quarterfinals after beating Belgium’s world No. 11 Nele Gilis in a three-game thriller in the previous round.The 18-year-old will next play at the Qatar Classic, starting on September 12, as part of her preparation for the Asian Games in Japan, which begin on September 19.The defeat also comes a few weeks before the Asian Games, where Sivasangari is expected to be Anahat’s biggest rival. The Malaysian is currently the highest-ranked Asian player.The gold medallist at the Asian Games will earn a place at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, where squash will make its Olympic debut.

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All Classes in Search for the Needle

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33 minutes ago

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5 September 2026

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Classes in Search for the Needle are playable archetypes that grant you various bonuses when equipped. Each Class can help you speed up your clear times in a different way, be it through stat bonuses or special items. You can unlock Classes in the game’s hub area by performing spins with Gems, the main currency of this experience. The utility provided by the Class system makes it indispensable to all players.

This guide features a complete overview of every Class in Search for the Needle, along with the bonuses it offers.

Every Class and what it does in Search for the Needle

The Classes menu (Image via Roblox)The Classes menu (Image via Roblox)
The Classes menu (Image via Roblox)

Unlocking Classes is only possible while you are in the lobby. Approach the “Classes” station to access the menu and view the different Classes available in this experience. You can’t freely buy a Class in this title; you can only perform spins, requiring you to spend 40 Gems per roll. Each Class has a predetermined chance to roll through spins, which can also be seen under their names in the Classes menu.

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Below, you can find all the details for every Class in this experience:

Starter

  • Default Class with a 40% chance to roll through spins.
  • This Class offers no bonuses.

Pack Mule

  • 25% chance to roll through spins.
  • This Class increases carry capacity by 50% in every bag.

Hay Merchant

  • 14% chance to roll through spins.
  • This Class increases the amount of money you earn upon selling hay by 20%.

Forkmaster

  • 9% chance to roll through spins.
  • This Class causes Pitchfork swings to collect 25% more hay.
  • The cost of Pitchfork upgrades is reduced by 25%.

Demolitionist

  • 7% chance to roll through spins.
  • The Class increases the blast radius of Dynamite explosions by 20%.
  • It also has a 10% chance of causing the TNT to split into three mini-charges.

If you are new to Search for the Needle, our beginner’s guide can provide you with an overview of its basic mechanics.

Prospector

  • 3.9% chance to roll through spins.
  • This Class causes Diamonds to appear 50% more frequently when collecting hay.
  • It can also cause hay to transform into Diamonds.

Drone Specialist

  • 1% chance to roll through spins.
  • When playing as this Class, you always own a drone.
  • The drone flies 30% faster and carries 40% more hay.
  • Every once in a while, a three-drone work swarm has a chance to appear.

Ultimate Farmer

  • 0.1% chance to roll through spins.
  • This Class offers the bonuses of every other Class at once.
  • Every once in a while, it will cause Golden Harvest to activate.

Also read: Unique Roblox username ideas for new players

FAQs on Search for the Needle

How many Classes does Search for the Needle feature?

The game features a total of eight unique Classes.

What is the best Class in the game?

The Ultimate Farmer Class is the best, as it offers the bonuses of every other Class at the same time.

How do I unlock Classes?

Classes can be unlocked by performing spins in the lobby.

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