Sanju Samson reveals how 'leaving RR was a huge risk', says 'once you convey your feelings...'

Sanju Samson opened up about his dramatic departure from Rajasthan Royals ahead of IPL 2026, describing the decision as a 'huge risk'. Fresh off an extraordinary ICC T20 World Cup 2026 campaign, where he earned Player of the Tournament honors after smashing 321 runs, including crucial back-to-back fifties, expectations were sky-high. Sanju Samson parted ways with RR after 11 storied seasons in a blockbuster Rs 18 crore pre-auction trade to Chennai Super Kings, with Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran moving to Rajasthan in exchange.

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Despite arriving in the form of his life, Samson’s debut season at Chepauk hit an immediate snag with three consecutive single-digit scores. However, the CSK management maintained complete faith in their marquee signee, a trust he repaid in spectacular fashion with a blistering 115 against Delhi Capitals. Reflecting on the slump, Samson praised the supportive environment at Chennai for keeping his confidence intact during a rocky start.

Leaving Rajasthan Royals was a huge risk: Sanju Samson

Speaking on JioStar's Superstars, Samson explained that his exit wasn't an impulsive decision, but a calculated choice forged after weeks of discussions with his family. Driven by a desire to test himself on Chepauk’s notoriously spin-friendly track and "start from zero" at age 30, he embraced the uncertainty. Samson revealed that stepping out of his comfort zone unlocked a fresh surge of energy, proving to himself that he could adapt and thrive in a completely new environment.

"Leaving Rajasthan Royals was a huge risk. Once you convey your feelings to the franchise, there is no going back. You could end up in a team you do not want to go to or even in the auction with no certainty," Samson said.

Samson’s journey with CSK started on a shaky note, as he registered three consecutive low scores while the team dropped all three matches. Coming straight off an extraordinary T20 World Cup campaign, Samson felt the inevitable pressure of high expectations under the watchful eyes of captain, coach, and MS Dhoni. However, grounded in the reality of T20 cricket where "failure is common and one fails more than they succeed," Samson chose to stay patient, mature, and focused on his game in the nets rather than panicking.

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How MS Dhoni's advice helped Samson immensely?

What changed everything for Samson was the unwavering backing from the CSK management and teammates, whose belief in him didn't alter even by one percent. The defining moment came during a practice session when MS Dhoni sat with him and offered a simple, subtle piece of advice: "Do not get into 'but,' just focus on doing what you do best. Everything will be alright." Reassured that he didn't need to alter his batting style or burn himself out with extra practice, Samson felt a deep resolve to deliver for the franchise. He assured coach Stephen Fleming that they would bounce back—and promptly went out in the next match to smash a century against the Delhi Capitals.

That hundred shifted the momentum for the rest of the tournament. Samson finished the IPL season with an impressive tally of 477 runs across 14 innings at an average of 43.36 and a blistering strike rate of 165.63, highlighted by two centuries and a fifty. Although CSK experienced a tough campaign overall, finishing eighth on the points table with six wins from 14 games (12 points), Samson's personal resurgence stood out as a highlight of their season.