Sanju Samson said in a video released by CSK on YouTube Shorts that he feels very lucky to join one of the biggest IPL teams. He said, “So I’m very fortunate that I ended up in one of the biggest franchises in IPL history.” He explained that he wants to play under their captain and be with him as a leader. Sanju said, “I have a lot of friends. But there is a person; everyone knows him. There is a person called MS Dhoni.”
He talked about how he admired Michael Hussey, saying, “When Michael Hussey used to play, I used to think, ‘what a player.'” He also spoke about Ruturaj Gaikwad being a close friend and said he wants to play under him. “Rutu is a good friend of mine. When he is the captain, his captaincy… I want to play under his captaincy; I want to be with him as a leader.”
Sanju added that he is not telling anyone to suddenly support CSK. He said, “I will not tell you that you should start supporting CSK from tomorrow, but I will tell you that from today, we are a part of the CSK family.” He ended by telling fans to wear yellow and support the team. “Everybody wear the yellow jersey and make Chennai Super Kings win one more trophy.”
Sanju Samson on Joining CSK After the Big Trade Involving Jadeja and Curran
Samson spoke for the first time about joining the Chennai Super Kings after the trade from the Rajasthan Royals. CSK shared a video where he wore the yellow jersey for the first time. Samson said the moment felt special and long-awaited. He said, “I have been waiting for this day. And I’m very fortunate that I’m going to wear the yellow jersey.”
He has played 177 IPL matches, and CSK will be his only third team. He said wearing yellow felt new for him. Samson said, “I am always in my dark colors, but yellow, definitely I think it’s a great feeling.”
When he wore the CSK No. 11 jersey, he said he felt something different. Samson said,
“To wear that jersey, I think, I never thought about how I would feel after wearing CSK… it felt positive, and I felt very happy. It felt different, like a different energy wearing that jersey. I felt like a champion. I felt like, “Okay, wow.”
The trade sent Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran to the Rajasthan Royals. Jadeja’s fee was revised from ₹18 crore to ₹14 crore. Samson will play for CSK at his existing fee of ₹18 crore. Curran will play at his fee of ₹2.4 crore.
Will Sanju Samson captain CSK?
Sanju Samson will not captain Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2026. CSK confirmed that Ruturaj Gaikwad, aged 28, will remain the captain for the 2026 season.
Gaikwad made his IPL debut for CSK in 2020. He has 2502 runs in 71 matches. He was first made captain in 2024. In 2025, he played only five matches before an injury ended his season. Dhoni led CSK in the remaining matches, but the team finished last for the first time.
After Samson arrived from the Rajasthan Royals in a trade on November 15, many expected him to become captain. CSK ended the rumors with a post saying, “Lead the way, captain Ruturaj Gaikwad.”
Samson has captained the Rajasthan Royals in 65 matches, winning 32. He is their most successful captain.
Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran moved to RR as part of the trade. Jadeja is likely to become the RR captain in IPL 2026, but the franchise has not made an official announcement. If Jadeja is not chosen, the options are Riyan Parag, Yashasvi Jaiswal, or Dhruv Jurel.
FAQs
Q. Is Sanju Samson traded to CSK?
A. Yes. Chennai Super Kings traded in Sanju Samson from Rajasthan Royals for Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran ahead of IPL 2026.
Q. Why does CSK trade Jadeja?
A. CSK traded Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran to the Rajasthan Royals because they needed a top-order Indian batsman and the team was in a transition.
Q. Who is the CSK captain in 2026?
A. Ruturaj is the CSK captain for IPL 2026.
Get IPL 2026 Live Score, Team Updates, along with the Latest Player News at IceCric.News and Follow for Live Updates – Facebook & Instagram.
