 "Sanju Samson didn't lead RR in most of the games in IPL 2025 due to injury concerns. Image: AP")
Rajasthan Royals (RR) captain Sanju Samson has finally spoken about the rumours linking him to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) ahead of IPL 2026. Despite reports of a possible exit, Samson said RR has been very important in his life and career. Speaking to Ravichandran Ashwin on his YouTube channel, Samson expressed his deep gratitude for the side.
Samson reveals his love for RR
Samson first joined the Rajasthan Royals in 2013 as a young player and re-joined them in 2018 after they were reinstated as an IPL club following a two-year ban. Since taking over as captain in 2021, he has become the team’s key player and highest run-scorer with 4,027 runs in 144 matches. In his interview, Samson thanked RR head coach Rahul Dravid and co-owner Manoj Badale.
“RR has meant the world to me. A small child coming from a village in Kerala, wanting to show his talent. And then Rahul sir and Manoj Badale sir gave me a stage to get up and show the world what I am made of. That time, they trusted me throughout. The journey with RR has been really great, and I’m very grateful to have been in a franchise like that. It really means a lot to me," Sanju told Ashwin.
Recently, media reports suggested that Samson has asked the Royals management to release him ahead of IPL 2026. These reports also claimed that CSK might be interested in signing him, keeping in mind that MS Dhoni is close to retirement and they would require a wicketkeeper-batter after him.
Samson had helped RR reach the final of IPL 2022, where they lost the final to the eventual champions Gujarat Titans. Samson was retained by the team before the IPL 2025 auction along with players like Parag, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, Shimron Hetmyer, and Sandeep Sharma.
Samson missed five games in IPL 2025 because of an injury. Riyan Parag took over as captain in his absence. The Royals did not do well and finished ninth out of ten teams in the points table.