Why is Sanju Samson leaving Rajasthan Royals and joining CSK?

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Why is Sanju Samson leaving Rajasthan Royals and joining CSK?: Will Rajasthan Royals (RR) captain Sanju Samson be seen donning the yellow jersey of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) next season? This is a trade that, if realized, would be one of the biggest player swap deals in IPL history.

But the question is, why would Sanju Samson want to leave Rajasthan Royals, with whom he has had an 11-year association? Is it simply a new challenge, or are there deeper differences? Let's take a look at all the possible reasons and speculation fueling this high-profile trade.

Analyzing the Reasons for Sanju Samson Leaving Rajasthan Royals

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Unhappy with team management decisions, Internal conflict suspected: Sanju Samson has captained Rajasthan Royals since 2021 and led the team to the finals in 2022. As captain, his opinion is crucial in team decisions. However, sources and media reports have repeatedly revealed that Sanju and the franchise management were not on the same page.

Lack of consideration in player retention/release decisions

Former Indian opener and commentator Aakash Chopra also hinted at this in his analysis. According to him, Sanju Samson's opinion may not have received the due consideration a captain should have in the Rajasthan Royals' key player retention or release decisions.

• Example: Some reports mentioned Sanju's alleged displeasure with the team's decisions to release key players before the last mega auction.
• Internal pressure: Despite consistently leading the team, not being able to have a say in key team decisions or being ignored can be frustrating for any captain, which prompted him to look for a new position.

Also Read: Who Will Lead RR if Sanju Samson Leaves?, 3 Top Captaincy Options

Deciding to give his career a new direction

After spending 11 years with the same team in the IPL, Sanju Samson now wants to give his career a new lease on life. His role as captain at Rajasthan Royals had become almost permanent, but now he is focused on moving to a bigger club and building his legacy.

Role of MS Dhoni's successor in CSK

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For Sanju, joining Chennai Super Kings is not just a change of team, but also about securing a future captaincy role.

• Post-Dhoni era: CSK, which has had one of the IPL's most successful captains in MS Dhoni, is now looking for a long-term Indian captain to succeed him.
• Potential captain: Sanju Samson, an experienced wicketkeeper-batsman and current IPL captain, is the strongest contender for the role. Joining CSK could give him the opportunity to lead a club known for consistent success.

Also Read: Will Sanju Samson Captain CSK after the Mega-Trade?

Both franchises are needed for the future

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This trade is not just being driven by Sanju's personal desire, but also meets the strategic needs of both teams.

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) Need: CSK is looking for an experienced Indian wicketkeeper-batsman and future captain as a successor to MS Dhoni. To achieve this goal, they want to bring Sanju Samson into the team and are willing to give up world-class all-rounders like Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran in exchange.

Rajasthan Royals (RR) Need: Rajasthan Royals are looking for a world-class Indian all-rounder like Jadeja to strengthen their core, provide stability to the middle order and also serve as a captaincy option. Thus, trading Sanju Samson could improve the team's balance.

In exchange for losing Sanju, Rajasthan Royals want to improve their team balance by acquiring a match-winner like Ravindra Jadeja and an all-rounder like Sam Curran. Meanwhile, Sanju hopes to find a fresh start at CSK and a leadership role at perhaps India's most successful club.

Conclusion: Why Sanju Samson is Leaving RR?

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Sanju Samson's decision to leave Rajasthan Royals appears to be a combination of internal differences and a search for a bigger opportunity. However, until an official announcement is made around the November 15th retention deadline, all these reports will remain speculative. But one thing is certain: this trade could change the course of the entire tournament before IPL 2025.

Also Read: Are Shubman Gill and Shehnaaz Gill brother and sister?