Former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) batter Robin Uthappa feels that the former franchise will have to offer 2 players to the latter in order to acquire the services of Sanju Samson. This all started with a recent report by Cricbuzz which claimed that Samson had asked RR to release him before the mini-auction which will be held this December.
Reports further revealed that CSK are interested in signing Samson because they see him as a suitable replacement for MS Dhoni, whose future in the league is uncertain. Just a few days after these reports came out, rumours began circulating that Ravichandran Ashwin may leave the Chennai-based franchise before the commencement of the next IPL season. Many believe that this can lead to a trade between CSK and RR involving Samson and Ashwin.
Uthappa wants CSK to include Vijay Shankar in the trade
However, Uthappa feels that one player won't be enough for CSK to get Samson. He added that the Chennai-based franchise will have to offer RR both Ashwin and Vijay Shankar if they are serious about signing the wicketkeeper-batter.
"CSK for sure. If they are able to get him and if they are able to snap him up, then it'll do really well for him. I think the transition of MS Dhoni to the next wicketkeeper, they already have in Sanju, so that is already taken care of. Otherwise, they would have to look at, say, at this point, say Devon Conway as a wicketkeeping option. But if he comes onboard, there is a lot of good that can happen for CSK," Uthappa said on his Youtube channel.
"What they don't have? They only have Shimron Hetmyer at six. They don't have a finisher at number six or seven. Maybe Sam Curran. Vijay Shankar could be the one who goes with Ashwin as well. That could happen. He's a pretty decent bowler, but they haven't utilised him," he added.
"I think perhaps Rajasthan also feel Sanju doesn't want to be there anymore, so if a player doesn't want to be there, why do we have to keep him? Give him what he wants. In that sense, I think it makes sense for them," he further added.
It remains to be seen what franchises will Samson and Ashwin be featuring for in IPL 2026. Despite the rumours of a potential trade between CSK and RR, the two players cane even end up getting released by their respectiove franchises and enter the auction pool where many other teams will have the opportunity to sign them.