CSK felt like the right franchise despite emotional RR exit: Sanju Samson
However, the strong bond he shares with Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Ruturaj Gaikwad made his move to Chennai Super Kings an easy one.
Samson, who managed the Royals for five years before moving to CSK via a trade ahead of IPL 2026, told JioStar’s ‘Superstars’: “It was a huge decision for me to leave RR. I believe after playing in a team for a while, you start to feel that it is your team and no one can take you away. However, I was always aware that everyone has limited time in one place.”
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“You do your bit and leave and after the end of IPL 2025, there came a point where I felt I had to move on. I told myself that the players are ready and RR are ready to play without Sanju Samson. That’s when I thought of leaving,” he added.
The Kerala cricketer said that he had several options on the table after quitting RR but he chose Chennai Super Kings as it suits his game perfectly. Samson added that it was a special feeling to finally wear the iconic yellow jersey.
“There were two or three options then. But honestly, CSK, Mahi bhai’s influence, the team 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 this team was my type of team.Also Read: Axar Patel in top 10 in ICC ODI rankings for all-rounders
“It would be very good for me if I go there. I wanted it but trade is a difficult thing. I want to go there but do they want me? And the original team has to get what they want in return. Everyone has to be on the same page. It was a big turning point. Luckily I went to CSK. It was a great feeling,” he said.
Growing up, Samson, 31, idolized Dhoni and his fearless batting style and would often go to bed dreaming of the day he would get the chance to represent India.
“The way he carried himself and his aggressive batting style really impressed me. He would appear in advertisements and I used to cut his picture and paste it in my diary. Every kid has an idol and Mahi bhai was my idol.
“When I was a kid, I used to watch India play every day. Mahi bhai would captain and win matches. I would go to sleep thinking, ‘I too should play one day’. I would dream of fighting with him, partnering with him and taking the field alongside him.”
Samson, who is now a part of the CSK set-up, said that one of his biggest dreams is to bat alongside Dhoni. Dhoni missed the entire 2026 IPL season due to a calf injury but Samson said he has not given up hope of playing alongside him.
Recalling how he got his first IPL opportunity, Samson said that he spent the first few matches on the bench of Rajasthan Royals and finally gathered the courage to approach skipper Rahul Dravid.
“He calmly told me that I had to be patient and my time would come. After hearing that, I got frustrated and disappointed, so I threw all my anger into the net. I would go to the net and hit sixes, thinking ‘I’ll show them’.”
His lucky break came when goalkeeper Dishant Yagnik bhai got injured.
“There was no plan to play me but Dishant bhai got injured in a match. So they played me against Punjab (then KXIP) in 2013, which was my debut in IPL and I won that match for the team.
“This was my first match. I scored 27 without batting at No. 6. I also got three-four dismissals while covering wickets. But in the next match, Dishant bhai was fit again and I was dismissed too.”
