IPL Trade Buzz: CSK Eye Sanju Samson, Rajasthan Royals May Demand Jadeja or Ashwin, Expert Suggests

Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra has weighed in on reports suggesting Sanju Samson is drawing trade interest from other Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises, particularly Chennai Super Kings (CSK), ahead of the IPL 2026 season.

Chopra, now a prominent cricket analyst, expressed his intrigue about how Rajasthan Royals (RR) might respond to these potential offers, especially if discussions with CSK progress. He speculated that Rajasthan could seek a high-profile player such as Ravindra Jadeja in return.

CSK are reportedly interested in signing Sanju Samson for IPL 2026 (AP Photo)

According to PTI, a total of six Rajasthan Royals players have garnered interest from rival franchises since the trading window opened on June 4th. The window will remain open until one week before the 2026 player auction. Following the auction, the trading window will reopen and close again exactly one month before the start of the new season.

"Will this trade materialize? CSK has shown interest, but discussions haven't reached the point of exchanging potential trade names. Rajasthan might request either Ashwin or Jadeja in return. They have the right to ask if trade talks advance that far," Chopra stated on his YouTube channel.

Samson has been a key figure for the Royals since returning to the franchise in 2018 after a two-season stint with Delhi Capitals. Rajasthan retained him as their first-choice player, investing Rs 18 crore to secure him ahead of the mega auction last year.

However, the team now possesses a surplus of batting options. Dhruv Jurel, a reliable wicketkeeper-batter, has made a mark at the international level, while 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi emerged as a standout performer in IPL 2025. Towards the end of the season, Vaibhav opened the batting alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal, leading to Samson's shift to the middle order.

With Samson now solidifying his position as an opener in the Indian national team, a potential move to CSK presents some interesting possibilities.

Could Samson Be the Ideal Choice for CSK?

Chopra suggested that Samson could be a suitable successor to MS Dhoni as a wicketkeeper-batter for Chennai Super Kings – a franchise in search of a long-term replacement for their iconic captain.

CSK, who finished at the bottom of the table in IPL 2025, had signed Urvil Patel, an uncapped wicketkeeper-batter from Gujarat, as a replacement player. Although he showed promise alongside youngsters Ayush Mhatre and Dewald Brevis in the latter half of the season, doubts persist about his readiness to fill Dhoni's shoes.

"A CSK official has said they are interested and keen. They feel it would be great to have Samson because he's a keeper-batter, and they need to plan beyond MS Dhoni. So he could be a very good option," Chopra said.

"In my original picks, I'd considered Dhruv Jurel as well. I even thought about Rishabh Pant. This team needs a wicketkeeper-batter – and it's not Urvil Patel. They need someone with pedigree, experience, and a bigger name. If you're carrying forward MS Dhoni's legacy, you need a player of that calibre," he added.

Dhoni has yet to confirm his participation in the 2026 season. The legendary cricketer, who will turn 45 next year, stated that he was in no hurry to decide on his future after the 2025 campaign. Nonetheless, CSK will need to commence preparations for a post-Dhoni era.