'I Left Rajasthan Because...': Sanju Samson Breaks Silence On RR Exit Ahead Of IPL 2026

Last Updated:March 17, 2026, 08:31 IST

Samson is RR's most capped player and highest run-getter in the IPL, but in the cash-rich league this year (2026), he will play for the Chennai Super Kings.

Star Indian wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson will play for Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2026. The 31-year-old cricketer from Kerala joined the Chennai-based franchise last year from the Rajasthan Royals in a trade deal ahead of the IPL 2026 auction. Samson’s decision to leave RR for CSK in November 2025 was a big surprise for fans, and ahead of the start of the 2026 edition of the world’s richest franchise cricket league, Samson has finally opened up about his decision to quit Rajasthan Royals.

According to Samson, he parted ways with the Jaipur-based franchise after representing them from 2018 to 2025 because he felt that his time with the team was over.

“I left Rajasthan Royals because I felt my time in the team was over," Samson said in a PTI video.

Samson overall has played a total of 11 IPL seasons for Rajasthan Royals and is their most capped player and highest run-getter. He was part of the franchise from 2013 to 2015 as well before he joined Delhi Capitals (formerly Delhi Daredevils) for a couple of seasons (2016-2017).

In IPL 2026, Samson will make his Chennai Super Kings debut against Rajasthan Royals at Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati, but according to him, he will not let emotions rule him on the field and will come up with his best cricket against the former franchise.

“It’s a situation that hasn’t happened yet. This is the first time I’m going to play against RR after playing (for them) in IPL. I don’t really think about the emotions once I step onto the ground. The game will definitely dictate it. But even before the match and even after the match, when I play with the old team, there are a lot of players who we played with when we were young. There are a lot of management and support staff. Everyone is there. They definitely have love and respect. But as I said earlier, everyone has their own time. My time was with RR. I went forward because I thought it was over. So when I go forward, there is a bit of excitement. It’s a new journey. Even if I play against RR, I want to play with a lot of happiness," Samson said.

News cricket 'I Left Rajasthan Because...': Sanju Samson Breaks Silence On RR Exit Ahead Of IPL 2026

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