Wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson opened up on joining Chennai Super Kings (CSK) after being traded from Rajasthan Royals (RR) ahead of the IPL 2026 auction, set to take place on December 16. Samson said that he had been waiting for the moment and added that he felt like a champion after donning the kit.
The Kerala-born cricketer moved to CSK for his existing fee of ₹18 crore, while Rajasthan received Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran as part of the deal. Samson is seen as a long-term solution to their search for MS Dhoni’s successor behind the stumps. However, Ruturaj Gaikwad is set to lead CSK in 2026.
Meanwhile, Rajasthan secured two high-value all-rounders, with Jadeja’s IPL fee adjusted from ₹18 crore to ₹14 crore, as confirmed in an IPL media advisory released on Sunday.
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I Felt Like A Champion – Sanju Samson on Donning the Chennai Super Kings Jersey
In a video uploaded by CSK on X (formerly known as Twitter), Sanju Samson spoke about the excitement of finally donning the yellow jersey. Samson stated that the CSK’s colours gave him a new sense of energy and positivity, adding that the kit made him feel like a champion.
“I have been waiting for this day and I am very fortunate that I am going to wear the yellow jersey. As I said I am always in my dark colours,” Sanju said in a video shared by CSK.
“Like black, blue, brown but yellow I think, definitely a great feeling to wear that jersey. Never thought about how I will feel after wearing CSK. I felt very positive and I felt very happy. I felt very different. A different energy wearing that jersey. I felt like a champion,” he added.
“Felt like a champion.” – Sanju
In Yellove, the spirit chooses you 💛 #WhistlePodu #Yellove 🦁💛 pic.twitter.com/Eh4S0G5Am9— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) November 19, 2025
Sanju Samson Ends Long Rajasthan Royals Stint After Requesting Transfer
Sanju Samson joined the Rajasthan Royals in 2013 as a promising youngster. He also led the franchise in recent seasons. Apart from the two seasons with Delhi Capitals (DC) during RR’s suspension, he had been with the franchise for over a decade before requesting a transfer ahead of the 2026 season.
Samson has scored 4,704 runs in 177 games at an average of 30.9 and a strike rate of 139, including three centuries and 26 fifties. He has hit 379 fours and 219 sixes with the bat. The wicketkeeper has taken 86 catches and 17 stumpings. He guided RR to 33 wins in 67 games, including guiding them to the 2022 final.
Sanju Samson Traded To Chennai Super Kings In Return For Ravindra Jadeja And Sam Curran
CSK and Rajasthan Royals completed a major trade ahead of the 2026 IPL auction. Ravindra Jadeja was part of RR’s original squad and played a key role in their 2008 title run before spending more than a decade with CSK.
For Chennai, Samson is expected to strengthen the top order and also serve as a leadership backup to Ruturaj Gaikwad. He ended his 11-year association with RR at a time of broader changes within the franchise, following Rahul Dravid’s departure as head coach.
RR have since appointed Sri Lankan great Kumar Sangakkara as their new head coach for the 2026 season. Notably, Rajasthan and Chennai finished in the bottom two places of the standings in IPL 2025.
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