Chennai Super Kings (CSK), five-time IPL champions, are reportedly showing interest in acquiring Sanju Samson for the 2026 edition of the Indian Premier League. For the first time in their history, CSK ended up at the bottom of the points table in the 2025 season.
The campaign was also marked by a major shift in leadership when MS Dhoni returned to lead the side after Ruturaj Gaikwad suffered a hairline fracture in his elbow. Since then, social media has been abuzz with rumours that CSK might bring in Rajasthan Royals’ (RR) skipper Sanju Samson.
Several fan clubs and online discussions have speculated on this possible move, fueling excitement among supporters. CSK is considering the option of including Samson in their team. A senior CSK official confirmed their interest, stating, “We are definitely looking at Sanju. He is an Indian batter, who is a keeper and an opener. So if he is available, we will certainly have a look at the option of having him in our fold.”
However, the official clarified that they have not initiated any official talks with Rajasthan Royals yet. The matter is still in the early stages, and the official added, “Who we will trade him with we have not taken that call because the matter has not gone that far. But yes, in principle, we are interested.”
Bringing in Sanju Samson would require CSK to trade some of their existing players, as he was RR’s top retention pick for ₹18 crore before IPL 2025. Besides CSK, other franchises have also reportedly shown interest in the wicketkeeper-batter.
Samson’s Performance in IPL 2025
Sanju Samson had a mixed season in IPL 2025. Rajasthan Royals, under his captaincy, ended up second-last in the standings. Samson missed several games due to injuries, including a side strain. In total, he played nine matches and scored 285 runs.
His highest score of the season was 66, which came against SunRisers Hyderabad at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. At the start of the tournament, he appeared as an impact substitute before resuming captaincy. During his absence, Riyan Parag took over the leadership role for RR. Despite his limited appearances, Samson continued to be a key player for the franchise.
Clearing the Air on Rift Rumours
There were speculations about a conflict between Sanju Samson and head coach Rahul Dravid. However, Dravid dismissed all such rumours. Addressing the media, he stated, “I don’t know where these reports are coming from. Sanju and I are on the same page.”
He also added, “Sometimes, when you lose games and things don’t go right, you face criticism and we can take it on our performances, but we can’t do anything about this baseless stuff.” Dravid’s response aimed to put an end to the controversy, reinforcing the unity within the team.
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