Sanju Samson: Why he left Rajasthan Royals for CSK is a story of emotional growth and a new chapter. After captaining Rajasthan Royals for five seasons, Samson requested a trade ahead of IPL 2026, joining Chennai Super Kings. He admitted it was among the hardest decisions of his career, feeling both he and RR were ready for change. “A point came when I felt that I should move on,” he told JioStar’s ‘Superstars’. “I told myself the boys are ready, and RR is ready to play without Sanju Samson.”
Samson had two or three offers but chose CSK because of the environment and his bond with MS Dhoni and Ruturaj Gaikwad. “Mahi bhai’s influence, the franchise itself, and my friends there meant I had great connections,” he explained. As a child, Samson idolised Dhoni, cutting out his pictures and dreaming of batting with him. Now a CSK player, he still hopes to share the crease with Dhoni, who missed IPL 2026 due to a calf injury.
Samson’s IPL journey began in 2013 with Rajasthan Royals. After sitting on the bench, frustrated, he approached Rahul Dravid, who told him to be patient. “I took out all my anger in the nets, hitting sixes,” Samson recalled. His debut came only after wicketkeeper Dishant Yagnik got injured. He scored 27 not out against Punjab and impressed behind the stumps, but was dropped once Yagnik returned.
Sanju Samson: Why he left Rajasthan Royals for CSK marks a significant move in IPL history. The wicketkeeper-batter now begins a fresh chapter with the franchise he admired as a child.