‘RR is ready without me’: Sanju Samson reveals why he walked away from Rajasthan Royals | Cricket News
India wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson talking about the emotional decision to leave Rajasthan Royals after more than a decade in the franchise, admitted it was one of the hardest choices of his career. However, the opportunity to participate Chennai Super Kingswhere he already shares strong relationships with MS Dhoni and Ruturaj Gaikwadhe was convinced it was the right move. After captaining Rajasthan Royals for five seasons, Samson joined CSK through a trade ahead of IPL 2026. Reflecting on the move, he said there was a point when he felt he and the franchise were ready to move in different directions. “Moving on from RR was a very big decision for me. I believe that after playing for a team for some time, you start to feel that this is your team and no one can remove you. But, I always have the knowledge that there is a limited time for everyone somewhere,” said Samson on JioStar’s ‘Superstar’. “You do your part, and you move on and after IPL 2025, there came a point where I felt I had to move on. I told myself the guys are ready, and RR is ready to play without Sanju Samson. That’s how I thought about leaving,” he added. Although many teams were interested, Samson said CSK stood out because of the environment, the people around the franchise and Dhoni’s influence. “There were two or three options at the time. But honestly, CSK, Mahi bhai’s influence, the franchise itself, and my friends there, especially Ruturaj, meant I had good connections. Based on what I heard about CSK from other players, I felt this franchise was my type. “If I go there, it will be very good for me. I hope so, but a business is a difficult thing. I want to go there, but do they want me? And the original group should get what they want in return. Samson also reflected on his childhood admiration for Dhoni, revealing that the former India captain inspired him to dream of representing the country one day. “The way he carried himself and his aggressive batting style really attracted me. He used to appear in advertisements, and I would cut out his picture and put it in my diary. Every kid has an idol, and Mahi bhai is mine. “As a kid, I used to watch India play every day. Mahi bhai would be the captain and win matches. I would go to sleep thinking, ‘I have to play one day too.’ I used to dream of fighting him, building a partnership, and being with him. Now a CSK player, Samson said he still hopes to fulfill that dream by sharing the crease with Dhoni, who has missed the entire IPL 2026 season due to a calf injury. The 31-year-old also recalled how his IPL career began in 2013 with Rajasthan Royals. Frustrated after spending the opening games on the bench, he then approached the captain Rahul Dravidurging him to remain patient. “He calmly explained that I have to be patient and my time will come. I was disappointed and disappointed when I heard that, so I took all my anger out on the nets. I’d go to the nets and hit a six, thinking, ‘I’m going to show them.'” His chance came only after wicketkeeper Dishant Yagnik got injured. “There was no plan to play me, but Dishant bhai got injured in one match. So, they played me against Punjab (then KXIP), which was my IPL debut in 2013, and I won that match for the team. “This was my first match. I scored 27 not out batting at number 6. I also got three-four dismissals while keeping wickets. But in the next match, Dishant bhai was good again, and I was dropped.”
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