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Rajasthan Royals' captain Sanju Samson to Chennai Super Kings: Is it possible?

CSK would have to make major adjustments to accommodate Samson

Last updated:
Shyam A. Krishna, Acting Editor
2 MIN READ
Rajasthan Royals' captain Sanju Samson plays a shot during the Indian Premier League (IPL) match in New Delhi on May 20, 2025.
Rajasthan Royals' captain Sanju Samson plays a shot during the Indian Premier League (IPL) match in New Delhi on May 20, 2025.
AFP

Is Sanju Samson really joining the Chennai Super Kings? It's hard to believe. He was the first player retained by the Rajasthan Royals for ₹180 million (around Dh7.73 million). A year later, can he just walk away from the team he's led for five seasons? You never know.

Nothing is permanent in the Indian Premier League. Today's rivals can become tomorrow's teammates. The IPL thrives on change — mini-auctions and trade-offs can shift dynamics overnight. So, a move away from Rajasthan for Samson can't be ruled out, especially after the Royals' disappointing season.

Perhaps the Royals Sports Group is seeking a change in leadership. It would be understandable. Since winning the inaugural title in 2008, Rajasthan haven't made it to another final despite reaching the playoffs six times. A leadership shake-up ahead of next season wouldn't be surprising.

The real question is: are we reading too much into Samson's Instagram post? "Time to MOVE..!" he wrote, under a picture him crossing a road with his wife Charulatha. Is he hinting at leaving Rajasthan? Or is he just teasing his followers? Hard to tell — celebrities and athletes often post cryptic messages and leave us guessing.

Still, speculation is inevitable. Some social media users point to the yellow line in the road from the Instagram photo and suggest it hints at a move to the "Yellove" of Chennai. That's quite a stretch, even for a clue.

Let's examine the possibilities. CSK already has Ruturaj Gaikwad as captain and MS Dhoni as wicketkeeper — roles Samson would naturally fit into. That raises more questions.

Would Samson play under Gaikwad? Or would Gaikwad step aside for Samson to lead? Dhoni's fitness — especially his knee — has been a subject of scrutiny every season. Every year, fans ask if he'll return, and every year, he does.

If Dhoni continues as wicketkeeper next season, there may be no space for Samson — unless Dhoni moves into an advisory or coaching role, which, at the moment, seems unlikely.

So, I'm inclined to believe a move to CSK isn't on the cards for Samson —at least not next season. But as always in the IPL, never say never. Things can change. And who knows — Samson might yet don the yellow.

Shyam A. Krishna
Shyam A. KrishnaActing Editor
Shyam A. Krishna has been slicing and dicing news for nearly 40 years and is in no mood to slow down. As Acting Editor, he runs the newsroom — digital and print.  Sports was the passion that ignited his career, and he now writes about just about everything: news, business, sports, health, travel, and entertainment. Even cooking! You might have spotted him at COP28, the Arabian Travel Market, the Dubai World Cup racing, the T20 World Cup cricket, the Dubai tennis and Abu Dhabi Formula One motor racing.   Before all that, the newsroom was (and still is) his home turf. As Night Editor, he designed and produced pages for several years before focusing on Opinion pieces.   The transition from Opinion Editor to Senior Associate Editor signalled a return to writing — from special reports and blogs to features. And when he’s not chasing stories or deadlines, Shyam is probably making travel plans or baking something. 

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