Sanju Samson has officially addressed his high-profile move to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) after being traded from Rajasthan Royals (RR) ahead of the IPL 2026 season. The trade, which saw Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran move to RR in exchange, marks the end of Samson's long and cherished association with the Jaipur-based franchise.
Samson conveyed his sentiments through an emotional message on Instagram, reflecting on his decade-long journey with RR. He expressed gratitude to the franchise, his teammates, and the fans for their unwavering support. "Gave MY everything to this franchise, enjoyed some great cricket, made some lifetime relations, treated everyone in the franchise as my family," Samson wrote. "And when its time..I AM moving On..Shall always be grateful for everything @rajasthanroyals," he added.
In a video shared by CSK, Samson expressed his excitement about joining the Super Kings. "I have been waiting for this day. And I'm very fortunate that I'm going to wear the yellow jersey," he said. He further articulated the positive emotions he felt upon donning the iconic yellow jersey, something he never thought about before. "I felt very positive and I felt very happy. I felt very different. A different energy wearing that jersey. I felt like a champion," Samson explained.
Samson also revealed his long-held admiration for MS Dhoni, stating that the opportunity to work closely with him was a major draw. "As every young Indian cricketer, I wanted to be around MS Dhoni," Samson said. "Every single time you meet him, every single time you know that you're going to play against CSK, it's like you want to sit with Mahi bhai, talk to him, understand how he does things," he added. He recounted how he finally met Dhoni in his eighth year in the IPL after winning a Player of the Match award against CSK, a moment that he described as a "dream".
Rajasthan Royals owner Manoj Badale acknowledged Samson's emotional investment in the team, explaining that the player felt "emotionally drained" and desired a "fresh chapter" in his IPL journey. Badale emphasized that the trade was executed in a way that would also strengthen the franchise.
The trade is considered one of the biggest in IPL history, with both Samson and Jadeja carrying a retention value of ₹18 crore. Curran's inclusion in the deal further elevated its profile. Samson had been a mainstay of the Royals' lineup since 2013, amassing 4,027 runs for the franchise and leading them to the final in 2022. CSK had been pursuing Samson for three years, seeking an Indian wicketkeeper-batsman for their top order.
With MS Dhoni nearing the end of his career, CSK views Samson as a potential leader who can take on multiple roles, including top-order batting, wicket-keeping, and possibly captaincy. However, CSK has confirmed that Ruturaj Gaikwad will continue to lead the team in IPL 2026.
Samson's move to CSK marks a new chapter in his IPL career, and his first reaction after donning the yellow jersey suggests he is ready to embrace the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
