The real story of Sanju Samson going to Chennai Super Kings, what was the role of Dhoni-Gaikwad?

New Delhi: Sanju Samson was the captain of Rajasthan Royals, but before IPL 2026, he came to Chennai Super Kings through trade. Everyone knew that everything was not well between Sanju and Rajasthan management. But now this right-handed wicketkeeper batsman has said that leaving Chennai Super Kings and going to Rajasthan was a tough decision for him.

Sanju Samson’s strong relationship with Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Ruturaj Gaikwad made his entry in Chennai Super Kings (CSK) easy. The player, who captained Rajasthan Royals for five years, said in JioStar’s program ‘Superstars’:

Moving on from Rajasthan Royals was a big decision for me. When you play for a team for a long time, you start feeling that this is your team and no one can remove you from here, but I always had the feeling that everyone’s time at one place is limited. You do your work and then move on. After IPL 2025, I felt that now I should move ahead. I told myself that the boys are ready and Rajasthan Royals are now ready to play even without Sanju Samson. That’s when I decided to leave the team.

Sanju hit two centuries and one fifty
In IPL 2026, Sanju Samson scored 477 runs in 14 matches for Chennai Super Kings. This Kerala cricketer told that after leaving Rajasthan Royals, he had a few options, but he chose CSK because it seemed the most suitable franchise for his playing style. He said that wearing the iconic yellow jersey was a special experience for him.

I had two-three options: Sanju
Samson said, ‘At that time I had two-three options, but to be honest, because of CSK, Mahi Bhai’s influence, the franchise itself and my friends there, especially Ruturaj, I had a good connection with them. From what I had heard about CSK from other players, I felt that this franchise suited my nature and game.