India wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson has shared deeply personal reasons for his shock departure from Rajasthan Royals, a franchise that became his home across more than 11 seasons. The move to Chennai Super Kings through a trade before IPL 2026 forced the Kerala cricketer to confront difficult emotions, but also opened a door to fulfil a childhood dream. Samson recounted the mental journey that led to one of the franchise’s biggest departures.
The decision to walk away weighed heavily on Samson. He spent 13 years connected to Rajasthan since 2013, captaining them for five consecutive seasons from 2021 onwards. During that stint, he steered the team to their first final appearance since 2008. Over his IPL career, Samson has accumulated more than 4500 runs across multiple franchises. Yet loyalty to one team, even when it feels like your own, eventually has limits. After the 2025 season concluded, Samson recognised that the boys had matured and that the franchise no longer required him to lead them forward.
“Moving on from RR was a very big decision for me. I believe that after playing for a team for some time, you start to feel like this is your team and nobody can remove you. But, I always had the awareness that there is a limited time for everyone at one place. You do your part, and you move out and after the end of IPL 2025, a point came when I felt that I should move on. I told myself that the boys are ready, and RR is ready to play without Sanju Samson. That is when I thought of leaving,” Samson said on JioStar’s Superstars.
Stats: Root only behind Dhoni in successful run chases
Why did Chennai Super Kings feel like the perfect destination?
When multiple franchises expressed interest, CSK emerged as his clear choice. Beyond the franchise itself, Samson saw something deeper in the yellow jersey. The presence of mentors, particularly Mahendra Singh Dhoni, combined with existing bonds with teammates like Ruturaj Gaikwad, made the opportunity feel like destiny. Conversations with other players who had experienced the CSK culture only strengthened his conviction.
“There were two or three options at that time. But honestly, CSK, Mahi bhai’s influence, the franchise itself, and my friends there, especially Ruturaj, meant I had great connections. Based on what I had heard about CSK from other players, I felt that this franchise was my type. If I go there, it will be very good for me. I had wished for that, but a trade is a tricky thing. I want to go there, but do they want me? And the original team needs to get what they want in return. Everyone has to agree. It was a major turning point. Luckily, I ended up in CSK. It was a great feeling,” Samson said.
Rohit can silence critics at Lord’s: Parthiv Patel
The childhood hero who inspired every dream about cricket
Dhoni was never just a captain on television for the young Samson. The fearlessness, the aggressive intent, the way he carried himself on field, all of it left an indelible mark. Samson collected magazine clippings of his idol, sticking them into his diary and dreaming of a day he might share the crease with him. Now, with CSK giving him that chance, his adolescent fantasy edges closer to reality.
“The way he carried himself and his aggressive batting style really attracted me. He used to appear in the ads, and I would cut out his picture and stick it in my diary. Every kid has an idol, and Mahi bhai was mine. As a child, I used to watch India play every day. Mahi bhai would be captaining and winning matches. I would go to sleep thinking, ‘I have to play one day too.’ I used to dream of batting with him, building a partnership, and fielding alongside him,” Samson revealed.
Samson’s arrival at CSK signals the end of an era at Rajasthan and the beginning of what could be his most fulfilling chapter in the IPL. The franchise traded Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran to bring him in, marking a significant shift in their squad structure.
