Sanju Samson will wear Chennai Super Kings colours in IPL 2026 after a big trade with Rajasthan Royals. The move ends a long association between Samson and RR that lasted more than a decade.
The deal saw Rajasthan Royals receive Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran in return. Samson joined CSK on a ₹18 crore contract, while Jadeja will earn ₹14 crore as part of his move to Rajasthan.
The trade happened after Samson looked for a fresh start. There were internal changes at RR, with younger players pushing for leadership roles and future captaincy.
Samson leaves behind a strong legacy with Rajasthan Royals. He scored 4,704 runs in 177 IPL matches at an average of 30.95 and a strike rate of 139.05.
During his time with RR, Samson hit three centuries and 26 fifties. He also captained the team from 2021 and led them to the IPL final in 2022.
His move to Chennai comes right after a brilliant run for India in the T20 World Cup 2026. Samson scored 321 runs in the tournament and played key knocks in the knockouts.
He made 97 not out, 89 and another 89 in crucial matches. Those performances helped India win the title, and Samson was named Player of the Tournament.
Now he will begin a new chapter with Chennai Super Kings. His arrival adds a powerful Indian batter to the CSK lineup ahead of the new season.
Interestingly, Samson’s first match for CSK will be against his former team Rajasthan Royals. The game is scheduled for March 30 in Guwahati.
The match will also mark the start of a new era for RR under Riyan Parag, who will lead the side as their permanent captain.
For Samson, the contest will carry strong emotions. He will face the franchise where he spent most of his IPL career.
The game will not be played at RR’s home ground in Jaipur. Instead, it will take place at the ACA Stadium in Guwahati, adding another twist to an already dramatic storyline.
All eyes will be on Samson when he walks out in yellow against the team he once led.