Sanju Samson Moves from Rajasthan Royals to Chennai Super Kings
In a surprising turn of events, Sanju Samson has decided to leave the Rajasthan Royals (RR) and join the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) ahead of the upcoming IPL season. This decision, revealed by RR owner Manoj Badale, came after a tough season for Samson, where he struggled with injuries and performance.
Samson had a difficult 2025 IPL season, managing only one half-century in nine matches and missing several games. As a result, RR finished near the bottom of the points table with just eight points, which took a toll on the captain emotionally.
Badale reflected on a meeting that took place in Kolkata after a narrow loss to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), where Samson opened up about his feelings. “This was the first time Sanju mentioned wanting to move on. He cares deeply about RR, and our worst season in nearly two decades affected him a lot. After giving 14 years of his life to the franchise, he felt it was time for a change,” Badale explained in a video on the Rajasthan Royals’ YouTube channel.
Samson led the team as captain starting in 2021, a move that was seen as risky. However, Badale praised his commitment and leadership: “When he asked to leave, we knew he meant it. Sanju has dedicated himself profoundly to the team. It was a big risk making him captain, but he embraced it fully. There is a lot of emotion tied to his time with us.”
Over his 11 seasons with RR, Samson scored a total of 4,027 runs and notably led the team to the IPL final in 2022 after a long wait of 14 years. His impressive record includes a career-best of 531 runs in the 2024 season.
Now, as he joins CSK, Samson is expected to boost their batting lineup, which struggled to find pace in the last season. The 31-year-old enjoys a strong fan base in Chennai, and supporters are excited to see him don the yellow jersey in the upcoming matches.
In summary, Sanju Samson’s move to Chennai promises to be a fresh start for him and an exciting opportunity for CSK fans as they look forward to his contributions on the field.
