Star wicket-keeper batter Sanju Samson is suddenly at the forefront of big IPL trade rumors, with a number of franchises said to have their sights set on the Rajasthan Royals (RR) skipper before the 2026 season. Among them, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have become serious contenders for what may become one of the largest trades in IPL history.
CSK Openly Interested in Samson
As per Cricbuzz, the interest in Samson is not mere speculation. Insider sources within CSK have revealed that the franchise is indeed considering taking Royals captain on board, with long-term planning, particularly at captaincy and wicket-keeping positions, being on the top of the agenda.
“We are eyeing Sanju. He’s an Indian batman, an opener, a wicketkeeper – one of the rarest of combinations. If he is available, we will surely consider the possibility of having him in our team,” a top CSK official was quoted.
“We haven’t finalized what we’d like to give in exchange, as negotiations haven’t reached that point. But yes, we are keen.”
Understanding the IPL Trade Window
IPL window of trade now open – is where franchises can trade players according to certain regulations. The initial seven days of this window opened after the 2025 season and will continue to remain open until seven days before the auction of 2026. Each player is traded only once within this timeframe.
Trades are possible via:
Straight (all-cash) transactions
League Fee Bumps (where the bump is shared by the player and selling franchise)
League Fee Cuts (player and BCCI approval required)
If there’s an overseas player involved, a No Objection Certificate (NOC) of his home board is mandatory. Though the league fee of the player is included in the salary cap, cash that is transferred between franchises isn’t.
How Can CSK Afford Samson?
Samson comes with a significant league fee of Rs 18 crore, so any trade will be difficult in terms of money. One such possible trade is that he might be traded for CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, who also has the same price tag. But that does not appear to be on the cards. Head coach Stephen Fleming has repeatedly suggested that Gaikwad’s naming as captain was part of a long plan.
A second option is a multi-player trade, with Ravichandran Ashwin and Shivam Dube. Together, their deals are worth Rs 21.75 crore, more than Samson’s worth – potentially offering CSK additional financial space for maneuver.
Rajasthan Royals, in turn, have confirmed the torrent of trade requests not only for Samson but for young players such as Dhruv Jurel. The franchise recently conducted a post-season review conference in London in the presence of newly appointed head coach Rahul Dravid. Any ultimate decision regarding Samson’s future, however, will be with RR’s lead owner Manoj Badale, who has not made any public comment on the issue.
As the IPL trade window gets fired up, Samson’s name may find itself at the center of one of the most debated moves in recent times. Whether he remains true to the Royals or sports the yellow of CSK, only time will tell but either way, it’s a developing story to keep an eye on.
