Sanju Samson to Stay with Rajasthan Royals — CSK Move Ruled Out

There’s no cupboard of uncertainty this time around — Sanju Samson is staying put with the Rajasthan Royals, ending all swirl around a potential move to Chennai Super Kings next season.

Rumours Put to Rest

Earlier buzz suggested Samson might be headed to CSK, perhaps even as their new captain. But reliable insiders have now made it clear: Royals are not trading him, and Samson remains central to their plans. His value to the franchise goes beyond stats, anchored in continuity and leadership.

RR Relying on Indian Core

Sanju has been a mainstay for RR—not just as captain, but as a top-order batsman and wicketkeeper. Since 2018, he’s led the team through multiple seasons and was retained at a premium ₹18 crore for the IPL 2025 cycle. Rajasthan Royals chose an Indian-heavy retention strategy, keeping Samson and young stars like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Shimron Hetmyer, and Sandeep Sharma — all part of a core group led by head coach Rahul Dravid who trusted homegrown talent more than big-money overseas purchases.

What Happened in IPL 2025?

The season didn’t go as planned. Rams had their low moments—even finishing 9th in the league stage. Samson struggled with an abdominal injury that limited him to nine matches and 285 runs, including one half-century. That led to Riyan Parag captaining the side in several games, and Parag's leadership got mixed reactions from fans.

Still, despite injury setbacks and inconsistent results, the franchise stood by Samson. The organizational belief remains strong: the core group needs stability to rebuild. Reports now confirm they declined any trade interest from CSK or others — keeping their anchor intact.

Why It Matters

Sanju isn’t just part of the team — he's in the driver’s seat. Rahul Dravid openly said Samson had a big say in deciding RR’s retention list, including tough decisions like releasing Jos Buttler and Yuzvendra Chahal. It speaks to the trust and respect the management has for their captain. Despite the rumors, the message is clear: Samson leads the Royals forward.