Sanju Samson: Leaving Rajasthan Royals Was a 'Huge Risk', Dhoni's Backing Helped
Samson finished IPL 2026 with 477 runs after three single-digit scores, saying MS Dhoni and CSK support helped him rebound.
- Sanju Samson revealed that leaving Rajasthan Royals for Chennai Super Kings ahead of the Indian Premier League was a "huge risk" after an 11-season stint with the franchise.
- Samson discussed his departure for two or three weeks with his family, ultimately convinced it was the right time to start anew and test his batting against new challenges.
- Expectations were high after his World Cup heroics, but Samson began the season with three single-digit scores before meeting Chennai Super Kings captain MS Dhoni, who assured him "everything will be alright."
- Samson finished the Indian Premier League with 477 runs across 14 innings, including two centuries and one half-century, with a strike rate of 165.63.
- Despite his individual resurgence, Chennai Super Kings finished eighth with 12 points; the 31-year-old believes the subtle lessons learned during his first season proved crucial.
8 Articles
8 Articles
Sanju Samson reveals why he left RR for CSK, reveals reason for not demanding captaincy
Sanju Samson revealed he left Rajasthan Royals for Chennai Super Kings after feeling his journey with RR had reached its end. The wicketkeeper-batter said he did not seek CSK captaincy, believing leadership is earned, not demanded.
Sanju Samson: Leaving Rajasthan Royals was a 'huge risk', Dhoni's backing helped
Sanju Samson described his move from Rajasthan Royals to Chennai Super Kings as a 'huge risk' but credited MS Dhoni's subtle yet impactful advice and the team management's unwavering support for helping him overcome a difficult start to the IPL 2026 season and rediscover his form.
Sanju Samson reveals huge risk of leaving Rajasthan Royals, backing from CSK, Dhoni after poor start in 2026 season - The Tribune
Samson, India's 'Player of the Tournament' in their ICC T20 World Cup triumph this year with 321 runs and three successive fifties from a virtual quarterfinal against West Indies to the final against New Zealand, headed into the latest IPL season with CSK with a lot of expectations, in the form of his life with the bat. After having spent 11 seasons with the Royals, Samson was traded to CSK for Rs 18 crores, with RR getting the services of all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran in return in one of the biggest pre-auction trades of all time. But for Samson, the season started with three single-digit scores before he registered an unbeaten 115* against Delhi Capitals.
Sanju clarified that MS Dhoni's words were helpful.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 100% of the sources lean Right
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
