Wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson opened up on joining Chennai Super Kings (CSK) after being traded from Rajasthan Royals (RR) ahead of the IPL 2026 auction on December 16. Samson said he had been waiting for this moment and added that he felt like a champion after wearing the kit.
The Kerala-born cricketer moved to CSK for his current fee of ₹18 crore, while Rajasthan got Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran as part of the deal. Samson is seen as a long-term solution to the search for MS Dhoni’s successor behind the stumps. However, Ruturaj Gaikwad is set to lead CSK in 2026.
Meanwhile, Rajasthan acquired two high-priced all-rounders, with Jadeja’s IPL fee adjusted from ₹18 crore to ₹14 crore, as confirmed in the IPL media advisory released on Sunday.
I felt like a champion – Sanju Samson on wearing Chennai Super Kings jersey
In a video uploaded by CSK on X (formerly known as Twitter), Sanju Samson talked about the excitement of finally wearing the yellow jersey. Samson said the CSK colors gave him a new sense of energy and positivity, adding that the kit made him feel like a champion.
“I was waiting for this day and I am very lucky that I am going to wear the yellow jersey. As I said I have always been into the dark colour,” Sanju said in a video shared by CSK.
He said, “I think wearing the black, blue, brown but yellow jersey is definitely a great feeling. I never imagined how I would feel after wearing CSK. I felt very positive and I felt very happy. I felt very different. Felt a different energy wearing that jersey. I felt like a champion.”
“Felt like a champion.” – Sanju
In Yellowway, the soul chooses you #whistlepoddu #Yellow pic.twitter.com/Eh4S0G5Am9– Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) 19 November 2025
Sanju Samson ends long stint with Rajasthan Royals after requesting transfer
Sanju Samson joined Rajasthan Royals in 2013 as a promising young player. He also led the franchise in recent seasons. Apart from 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 matches at an average of 30.9 and a strike rate of 139, which includes three centuries and 26 fifties. 379 fours and 219 sixes came from his bat. The wicketkeeper has taken 86 catches and 17 stumpings. He led RR to 33 wins in 67 games, including guiding them to the 2022 final.
Sanju Samson traded to Chennai Super Kings in exchange 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 team and played a key role in their 2008 title run before spending over a decade with CSK.
For Chennai, Samson is expected to strengthen the top order and also act as a leadership backup to Ruturaj Gaikwad. Following the departure of Rahul Dravid as head coach, he ended his 11-year association with RR at a time of widespread change within the franchise.
RR has appointed Sri Lankan great Kumar Sangakkara as its 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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