Mumbai: India wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson has described his move from Rajasthan Royals to Chennai Super Kings ahead of TATA IPL 2026 as one of the biggest decisions of his career, saying he was prepared to start from scratch rather than remain in an environment that no longer suited him.
Speaking on JioStar’s Superstars, Samson revealed that his decision to leave Rajasthan Royals, where he spent 11 seasons and captained the franchise for five years, came only after weeks of discussions with his family. Although he acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding such a move, he believed it was the right time to embrace a fresh challenge.
The 30-year-old said he was aware that many questioned whether his attacking style would succeed on Chennai’s traditionally slower pitches, but he chose to view the challenge as an opportunity to evolve his game. According to Samson, the move brought renewed motivation and energy, helping him rediscover his best form.
Samson also reflected on a difficult start to his CSK career after failing to make an impact in his first three IPL matches. Despite the disappointing performances, he said the unwavering confidence shown by the coaching staff and teammates allowed him to remain calm instead of overreacting to a temporary loss of form.
He credited former India captain MS Dhoni for offering timely guidance during that phase. Recalling a conversation at training, Samson said Dhoni encouraged him to trust his natural game instead of worrying about recent failures. The reassurance helped restore his confidence, and he responded by scoring a century in the following match, which reignited his season.
Addressing the captaincy issue, Samson said leadership should be earned through the trust of the team rather than requested. While he thoroughly enjoyed leading Rajasthan Royals and felt he had grown into the role over five seasons, he was equally comfortable stepping away from captaincy to focus solely on his batting. He added that the prospect of playing under Ruturaj Gaikwad was one of the factors that made Chennai Super Kings an appealing destination.
Samson also shared his perspective on national selection, saying he has never believed in lobbying for a place in the Indian team. Rather than chasing individual milestones such as the Orange Cap, he prefers to concentrate on his preparation and let performances speak for themselves. He said he remains ready whenever the team management feels his services are required, believing that his best cricket emerges when opportunities come naturally.
The experienced batter concluded that personal comfort, clarity of purpose and the right team environment are more valuable than external recognition, adding that he remains committed to continuous improvement regardless of selection debates.
The interview was conducted on JioStar’s “Superstars” programme.
