Chennai Super Kings eye Sanju Samson in potential trade move: Franchise confirms interest for IPL 2026

Chennai Super Kings eye Sanju Samson in potential trade move (AFP Photo)

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are planning a revamp after enduring a horrid season at IPL 2025, during which the team finished at the bottom of the points table. There have been numerous rumors over the past week that CSK are considering to sign Sanju Samson, the captain of the Rajasthan Royals.

A report on Cricbuzz stated that CSK are "interested" in roping Samson. However, a senior CSK official told the publication that no official communication has been done in this regard with the Royals.

"We are definitely looking at Sanju. He is an Indian batter, who is a keeper and an opener. So if he is available, we will certainly have a look at the option of having him in our fold," the official told Cricbuzz. "Who we will trade him with we have not taken that call because the matter has not gone that far. But yes, in principle, we are interested," the official added.

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Prior to the IPL 2025 season, the India wicketkeeper-batter was the top-ranked player retained by the Royals, costing INR 18 crore. It remains unclear if CSK will formally approach the Royals management during the trading window, which at the moment is closed. The report in Cricbuzz added that in addition to CSK, a few other franchises have also approached Royals to sign Samson.

While, CSK finished last, Royals ended one spot above them on the points table. Samson, also endured a setback during the course of the tournament. While he was used as an Impact Substitute in the initial stage, owing to an injury, he endured a a side strain midway during the tournament, which kept him out of five games.

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Samson finished the IPL 2025 season with 285 runs from nine matches, with a highest score of 66 against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. The Royals were led by Riyan Parag while he was away. Rumors also circulated that Samson and Rahul Dravid, the head coach, did not get along. The latter, however, put an end to these rumors.

Speaking to reporters, Dravid had said: “I don't know where these reports are coming from. Sanju and I are on the same page.”

“Sometimes, when you lose games and things don't go right, you face criticism and we can take it on our performances, but we can't do anything about this baseless stuff,” he added.