Wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson discussed his move to the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) after being traded from Rajasthan Royals (RR) just before the IPL 2026 auction, which is scheduled for December 16. He revealed that he had been waiting for this moment and that he felt like a king when he put on the uniform.
The player born in Kerala was transferred to CSK for its existing fee of ₹18 crores, while Rajasthan acquired Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran as a part of the transaction. Samson is viewed as a long-term remedy for their quest for MS Dhoni’s successor at the stumps. However, Ruturaj Gaikwad is appointed as the leader of CSK for 2026.
On the other hand, Rajasthan obtained two valuable all-rounders, which included Jadeja with an adjusted IPL fee from ₹18 crores to ₹14 crores, as confirmed in an IPL media advisory released on Sunday.
Sanju Samson on Wearing the Chennai Super Kings Jersey: I Felt Like a Champion
Sanju Samson talked about the thrill of finally putting on the yellow jersey in a video posted by CSK on X (formerly known as Twitter).
Samson mentioned that the CSK’s colors created a different energy and positivity in him and that the kit made him feel like a champion.
“I have been waiting for this day and I am really lucky that I am going to wear the yellow jersey. As I said I am always in my dark colors,” Sanju said in a video shared by CSK.
“I have different feelings like black, blue, brown but, no doubt, yellow was a great feeling to wear that jersey. Never imagined how I would feel after putting on the CSK. Very positive and very cheerful was the atmosphere for me. Felt really different. A different energy came with that jersey. I was the winner,” he concluded.
Sanju Samson leaves Rajasthan Royals ahead of the new IPL season
Sanju Samson stepped into the Rajasthan Royals’ camp in 2013 as a talented kid and has been their captain for the last few years. He had been with the franchise for almost ten years, except for the two seasons with Delhi Capitals (DC) during RR’s suspension, and requested a transfer before the 2026 season.
The batter has accumulated 4,704 runs in 177 matches at an average of 30.9 and a strike rate of 139, along with three hundreds and 26 fifties. He has also produced 379 fours and 219 sixes with his bat. The keeper has done 86 catches and 17 stumpings. He has led RR to 33 victories in 67 matches, which includes leading them to the finals in 2022.
Jadeja and Sam traded to Rajasthan in exchange for Sanju Samson by Super Kings
CSK and Rajasthan Royals struck a big deal just before the IPL auction of 2026. The all-rounder was a part of the original RR squad and his contribution to the 2008 title win was significant, before he switched to CSK and spent over a decade with them.
Chennai sees the arrival of Samson as a move that will add vigor to their top order and also as a potential back-up leader for Ruturaj Gaikwad. He parted ways with RR after an eleven-year run when the team was undergoing significant changes, following the exit of Rahul Dravid as head coach.
Rajasthan are now on a bigger role in the form of Sri Lankan King Kumar Sangakkara who will coach them for the 2026 season. Notably, Rajasthan and Chennai were the bottom two teams in the standings in IPL 2025.
