Recent reports have indicated that Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have dismissed rumors of a potential trade involving Rajasthan Royals (RR) captain Sanju Samson. As the buzz around IPL 2026 retention picks intensifies ahead of the December mini-auction, Samson's future with the Rajasthan Royals remains uncertain.
Despite speculation linking Samson to CSK, a senior official from the Chennai camp has denied any active pursuit of the Rajasthan Royals captain. While CSK acknowledges Samson's potential value as an Indian batter, wicket-keeper, and top-order hitter with a game-changing X-factor, they have not made any official communication with Rajasthan Royals.
Sanju Samson was Rajasthan's number one retention pick, worth a reported 18 crores, a price tag that matches Ruturaj Gaikwad, the CSK captain.
The decision regarding Samson's retention and captaincy for the Rajasthan Royals hinges significantly on the franchise owner. The Royals' management, including Head Coach Rahul Dravid, recently convened to discuss the team's strategy for IPL 2026, including player retentions. Besides Samson, RR also has another priced asset Duv Jurel, an Indian wicket keeper who's young and equally promising.
Several factors contribute to the uncertainty surrounding Samson's future. Firstly, the upcoming IPL 2026 mini-auction is expected to take place in December. Secondly, the dynamics within the Rajasthan Royals camp and Samson's role in their future plans remain unclear.
The IPL trade window is currently open, fueling various rumors and speculations. While CSK might not be the only franchise interested in Samson, any potential deal would require a player of equal or greater value.
CSK has Ruturaj Gaikwad as captain, who is considered a long-term leadership solution. Trading Gaikwad would be an unexpected move for CSK. Chennai rarely makes trades in fact when it comes to trades Chennai has hardly dipped its toes. Moreover, CSK has a history of avoiding significant changes to their core team. They have already retained key players like MS Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja.
