CSK Official Confirms the Team is Seriously Pursuing Sanju Samson in Potential Blockbuster Trade with RR

CSK initially rejected Rajasthan Royals' demand to include either Ravindra Jadeja or another star player in the trade deal for Sanju Samson.

CSK Official Confirms the Team is Seriously Pursuing Sanju Samson in Potential Blockbuster Trade with RR

CSK official confirmed Sanju Samson-Sam Curran-Ravindra Jadeja trade deal. (Image via NDTV Sports)

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The Sanju Samson IPL trade saga has continued long, with the 30-year-old expected to move to Chennai Super Kings in a deal ahead from Rajasthan Royals. A CSK official confirmed the rumors, also shedding light on the swap deal with RR, involving Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran. 

Sanju Samson had reportedly sought for a change after the end of the 2025 IPL season, where he scored just 285 runs in nine innings, hitting only one fifty. His numbers are reflective of the average season that he had, due to injury issues. Samson also lost his preferred opening spot to 14-year-old prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi, as a result of which he seems to have made up his mind on taking up a new adventure. 

It is understood that Chennai Super Kings have been in direct negotiations with Rajasthan Royals to acquire the wicket-keeper batter’s services, given he is seen as a natural successor to MS Dhoni. CSK seemed to have agreed to allowing veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja move the other way. Apart from Jadeja, English all-rounder Sam Curran will also be part of the three-player deal between CSK and RR.

Ravindra Jadeja has been a core member of the five-time IPL winning franchise since 2012, and was in fact retained by the Men in Yellow ahead of the 2025 season for a whopping INR 18 crores. However, Jadeja’s move to RR would also be an emotional reunion for the 36-year-old Indian all-rounder, as he spent his first two IPL seasons in 2008-09, at RR, as a teenager then. Both CSK and RR have reportedly begun the process, with an official confirmation coming soon.

Interestingly, the BCCI might come into discussions here, as both sides are yet to inform their final decision to the IPL authorities. A senior CSK official, speaking to Cricbuzz, most recently, confirmed that the 2008-IPL winners are yet to confirm the deal from their end, as they are weighing several options. The unnamed official also added that consent of the three players involved in this swap deal has also been obtained, but may take time to formalize. 

Everyone knows we are interested in getting Sanju [Samson]. We have expressed our interest in procuring him in this trading window. RR is yet to confirm as their management said they are weighing the options. We are hopeful Sanju will play for CSK.

An unnamed CSK official in an interview (via Cricbuzz)

Thereafter, it remains to be seen what lies ahead, given fans from both IPL sides share a deep emotional connection with the players who are departing. In case of Sam Curran, the all-rounder would have to obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).

R. Ashwin weighs in on the CSK captaincy debate involving Sanju Samson and Ruturaj Gaikwad

Ex-Chennai Super Kings’ legend Ravinchandran Ashwin, speaking on his YouTube channel, shared his take on the CSK captaincy debate. The 39-year-old former player exclaimed that Sanju Samson might not be appointed captain immediately after being traded in. 

Sanju Samson replace Ruturaj Gaikwad
R. Ashwin opined that Sanju Samson might replace Ruturaj Gaikwad as CSK captain (via Hindustan Times)

CSK are prepared to part ways with Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran, to bring experienced wicket-keeper batter and Indian T20I star Sanju Samson into the squad. Samson’s preferred position is as an opener in the shortest format of the game. Should he join Chennai Super Kings, Samson would surely get the nod to open the innings alongside young Ayush Mhatre, followed by Ruturaj Gaikwad at number three. 

However, it is uncertain whether Samson will be named CSK’s captain for the 2026 IPL season, primarily due to Ruturaj Gaikwad’s poor numbers as skipper. R. Ashwin, who has played under both Gaikwad and Samson’s captaincy, talked about their potential change, suggesting that CSK would not appoint Samson as the captain straightaway after a trade, allowing him to thrive under Gaikwad’s leadership. 

I don’t think Sanju Samson will get captaincy because this is his first season. And giving someone captaincy in his first year at the franchise, I am not sure about it. Ruturaj [Gaikwad] will continue.

R. Ashwin said

Ashwin also exclaimed that Sanju Samson would remain an option for captaincy in the future, in case the Maharashtra-born batter fails to live up to expectations. Ravindra Jadeja’s departure to RR might also leave behind a gaping hole in five-time IPL winning team’s squad.

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