CSK Eyeing Bold Swap Deal for Sanju Samson Ahead of IPL 2026

The IPL trade mill has kicked into gear early, and one potential blockbuster move has already set tongues wagging. If reports are to be believed, Chennai Super Kings are in talks with Rajasthan Royals over a major player swap involving Sanju Samson, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Shivam Dube.

Nothing has been confirmed officially yet, but the whispers are loud — CSK could trade Ashwin and Dube to Rajasthan in exchange for the Royals skipper, Sanju Samson. It's a move that could shake up both squads significantly heading into IPL 2026. The chatter gained momentum after respected analyst Prasanna Aghoram, formerly associated with RCB and South Africa, hinted at such a trade on social media. Given his frequent collaborations with Ashwin on YouTube, fans have taken notice. 

This comes after CSK endured their worst IPL season ever — just four wins from 14 games and a finish at the very bottom of the table. While MS Dhoni continues to be the heart and soul of the franchise, his form (196 runs at 24.50 with a strike rate of 135.17) hints that a long-term replacement is needed. Enter Sanju Samson. Despite a rough 2025 season — injuries limited him to just nine games, where he scored 285 runs — the Kerala batter is still considered one of the most naturally gifted top-order batters in the country. A finger injury and a side strain kept him out of key fixtures, and Rajasthan finished second from the bottom with just eight points. 

But what makes Samson appealing for CSK isn’t just his batting. At 30, he's in the prime of his career and brings years of captaincy experience. If Dhoni chooses to step aside, Samson could be a ready-made successor. The reported trade value is also balanced on paper — Ashwin and Dube together account for ₹21.75 crore in value, the same figure assigned to Samson. While RR would get two battle-hardened campaigners in return, CSK would invest in the future with a premium wicketkeeper-batter, a rare commodity in today’s game. 

Still, letting go of Samson would be a massive call for Rajasthan. He's their all-time leading run-scorer and has been the face of the franchise for years. A move away would be emotional, not just for him but for RR fans too. But for now, it’s all talk. If this move does happen, though, it could be one of the most fascinating trades in IPL history — with massive implications for both camps.