RR demand Ruturaj Gaikwad or Ravindra Jadeja to trade Sanju Samson, CSK reject the bid
Even before reports emerged about Sanju Samson demanding an exit from Rajasthan Royals, the wicketkeeper-batsman was linked to Chennai Super Kings. Initial updates about the situation strongly suggested that CSK saw the RR captain as the ideal prospect to succeed MS Dhoni in Chennai’s wicketkeeping role. Thus, when news broke that Sanju Samson was all but out of Rajasthan, his trade to CSK appeared the most obvious next step. However, the latest report on the matter states that RR’s audacious demand for the trade has forced CSK to back out of the deal.
CSK unwilling to trade Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shivam Dube, or Ravindra Jadeja as Sanju Samson deal hits dead end
A few days ago, in a sensational IPL update, reports emerged that Sanju Samson had formally requested Rajasthan Royals to either trade him or grant a release ahead of the next season.The bond between Samson and the franchise reportedly did not survive the rough patch of IPL 2025. Several factors contributed to souring Samson's relationship with the Royals. From the franchise releasing Jos Buttler ahead of the mega auction to the opening spot slipping out of Samson's grasp, the captain received his cue to exit. Now, with the wicketkeeper-batter having made his stance clear, RR lead owner Manoj Badale has reached out to all nine other IPL franchises to start trade talks.
According to the fresh update, the RR co-owner proposed a direct trade for specific players in exchange for Samson and was close to securing a deal. CSK, reportedly highly interested in the deal, were contacted. However, Rajasthan Royals demanded Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ravindra Jadeja, or Shivam Dube in exchange for Samson. The five-time champions, as anticipated, were unwilling to let go of any of them, quashing the prospect. Ruturaj Gaikwad was appointed CSK captain ahead of IPL 2024.
While the youngster was ruled out of IPL 2025 midway through the season due to a fracture, MS Dhoni, in a recent interaction, confirmed that Gaikwad is all set to return. Shivam Dube and Ravindra Jadeja, both former RR players from the early seasons of the tournament, are now crucial members of CSK’s core. Clearly, while CSK was initially keen on adding Samson to the lineup, the five-time champions are not ready to part with any of their key players for the trade. Now, unless CSK puts forward another offer or targets the RR captain in the mini-auction, Chennai’s chances of bagging the wicketkeeper appear slim.
However, the report also suggests that the RR skipper is unlikely to be part of the auction pool. The Indian opener in the current T20I setup, CSK is not the sole bidder for Sanju Samson. Several franchises have already expressed interest in signing him through a direct deal. While technically he could remain with Rajasthan as player movement in the IPL has certain restrictions, the rift between the two sides has reportedly widened, fuelled in part by the decision to release Jos Buttler.
"Letting him go has been one of the most challenging decisions for me. During the England series, I told him over dinner that I was still not over it. If I could change one thing in the IPL, I would change the rule of releasing players every three years," Samson had told earlier.
Despite the noise, Samson has stayed silent on the matter in public, instead speaking fondly of the Royals during a recent podcast appearance with Ravi Ashwin. He also reserved praise for 14-year-old left-hander Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who stepped into the opening role in his absence. However, with Suryavanshi coming in to partner Yashasvi Jaiswal at the top, Samson is reportedly unwilling to bat at No. 4 for Rajasthan in the coming season. As a result, a release or trade from Rajasthan Royals appears inevitable at this point.
"RR has meant the world to me. A small child coming from a village in Kerala, wanting to show his talent. And then Rahul (Dravid) sir and Manoj Badale sir gave me a stage to get up and show the world what I am made of,” Samson said recently about the franchise. "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."
