Former Chennai Super Kings batter Robin Uthappa has reacted to reports that Sanju Samson has asked Rajasthan Royals to release or trade him ahead of the IPL 2026 mini-auction. Samson’s decision is believed to be linked to the team’s batting order changes in IPL 2025, which saw young talents like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, and Riyan Parag occupy top-order positions.
Uthappa explains Samson’s decision
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Uthappa said Samson’s potential move was “a writing on the wall” due to Rajasthan’s preference for promoting their younger players. He pointed out that Samson might be pushed down to number four, a position he may not favour while opening for India. Uthappa suggested Samson wants to move now to find a team where he can continue as an opener and maintain his place in the national side’s top order.
CSK’s interest and possible trade deal
Reports indicate that Chennai Super Kings are keen to sign Samson as a long-term replacement for MS Dhoni. However, with Samson valued at INR 18 crore, a direct trade may be challenging. Uthappa proposed that CSK could offer both Ravichandran Ashwin and Vijay Shankar to Rajasthan Royals in exchange for the wicketkeeper-batter, helping both teams address their squad needs.
Why the move could work for both sides
Uthappa believes the trade could benefit CSK by giving them an established wicketkeeper-batter while allowing Rajasthan to strengthen other areas. He noted that if a player no longer wishes to stay, it is better for the franchise to allow the move. For CSK, Samson’s arrival would also ensure a smooth leadership and keeping transition after Dhoni.
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