Will Sanju Samson Join CSK for IPL 2026?

It has not even been two weeks since IPL 2025 ended, but the discussions are intense. There is a big headline on social media, and rumours are floating that the Rajasthan Royals and Sanju Samson may now part ways. It is now also being said about this wicketkeeper batsman, who has worn the blue and pink jersey of the Royals for more than a decade, that he may be seen playing for the Chennai Super Kings next season. In such a situation, this discussion has not only become about the transfer but also about the end of an era and a new beginning.

The rumours of Sanju Samson moving to CSK for IPL 2026

Sanju Samson, who started his IPL career with Rajasthan Royals in 2013, played for Delhi for two seasons in between, but in 2018, he joined the RR again. When he took over the captaincy from Steve Smith in 2021, the team was in last place. Then in 2022, he led the team to the final, although they lost to Gujarat. In 2023 and 2024, the team remained out of the playoffs, but Samson's leadership was not questioned.

Battling injuries in 2025, he played only nine matches, scoring 285 runs. After this performance, talks started coming from inside and outside the team that the franchise could release him. Many sources on social media also said that CSK are looking at him for captaincy after MS Dhoni, as Rituraj Gaikwad is not fully established yet.

Amidst all this, no official statement has come from any franchise, but speculation is rife, as Sanju Samson's manager has liked the post of a 30-year-old wicketkeeper batsman getting traded to CSK. When the Rajasthan team finished the season in the 9th position in 2025, it was clear that something was cooking inside. Discussions had started on Samson's form, injuries, and leadership role. The kind of structure that Chennai have, Samson can fit there. The environment there is stable, the senior players maintain the balance of the team, and the captain gets full support. Samson probably needs the same trust, which Rajasthan is now hesitant to give.

Will Sanju Samson join CSK in IPL 2026?

In my opinion, this transfer is not certain, but it is definitely possible. It does not seem easy for Rajasthan Royals to leave Samson, because he has become the face of the team, not just a batsman or captain. However, the history of IPL shows that such decisions happen. Chennai, who now need a leader who is both calm and aggressive, can consider Samson as an ideal successor. Rituraj also needs time, and the pressure of captaincy can affect his game. In such a situation, Samson's experience can be beneficial for Chennai.

The question is also whether Samson himself would like to leave Rajasthan. If he feels that his importance in the team is decreasing, then he can decide to move forward. The position of players in cricket is not fixed, and the thought of giving a chance to the new generation always remains. Chennai Super Kings can prove to be a new chapter in his career. I believe that if there is no clarity in Rajasthan's strategy regarding Samson in the next few months, then he can change the team. Right now, everything is based on speculation, but where there is smoke, there is fire.