A significant development has emerged regarding the future of Sanju Samson, captain of the Rajasthan Royals, ahead of the 19th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2026. Reports suggest that Sanju Samson is considering leaving the Rajasthan Royals and has his sights set on Chennai Super Kings (CSK).
Sports News: A major trade between Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings is potentially on the cards before the 19th season of IPL 2026. According to reports, Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson may not play for the team next season, prompting Chennai Super Kings to express interest in adding him to their squad. Negotiations between the two teams are reportedly underway.
According to the latest information, Rajasthan is reportedly seeking either Ruturaj Gaikwad or Ravindra Jadeja from Chennai in exchange for Samson in this trade deal.
Why Does Sanju Samson Want to Leave Rajasthan Royals?
According to a report by Cricbuzz, the primary reason for Sanju Samson's potential departure from the franchise is the decision not to retain Jos Buttler in the previous season. Samson himself had stated that letting Buttler go was one of the toughest decisions of his career. It is believed that his views are not aligning with the team management, leading him to consider a change.
Sources indicate that Rajasthan Royals has demanded either Ravindra Jadeja or Ruturaj Gaikwad from CSK in exchange for Sanju Samson.
- Ravindra Jadeja: Experienced all-rounder of the Indian cricket team and former CSK captain.
- Ruturaj Gaikwad: Current CSK captain and excellent opening batsman.
- Shivam Dube's name also surfaced
All-rounder Shivam Dube's name also surfaced in the trade discussions, but CSK is not inclined to let him go either. This is why the trade deal is currently stalled.
Trade or Auction – What's Next?
A mini-auction for IPL 2026 is scheduled for December 2025. However, the chances of Sanju Samson's name appearing in the auction are very slim because: if a deal with CSK does not materialize, Rajasthan may trade him to another team. The franchise has the final decision-making power, even if the player requests a release.
There is also a possibility that Samson might remain with Rajasthan Royals if the differences are resolved, but given the current circumstances, this seems unlikely. For the Rajasthan team, Samson is not just a batsman but also a key player who has been fulfilling the responsibility of captaincy for a long time.
