3 CSK players RR can trade for Sanju Samson ahead of IPL 2026
According to a report by Cricbuzz, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are reportedly considering bringing in Sanju Samson, India’s T20 wicketkeeper-batter and current captain of Rajasthan Royals, as a long-term replacement for MS Dhoni. As Dhoni is nearing his career age of 44, CSK are planning a transition period. It is no hidden fact that Samson has consistently delivered in IPL, and his stats also reflect that. The talismanic India batter has scored 4704 runs in 177 matches in his total IPL career.
Samson has played for RR and DC, so taking a CSK contract could be a drastic career shift. The 2025 season saw him miss ten games because of injury, but his notes still say he scored 285 runs, an average of 35.62, and he did the job behind the stumps with five dismissals. The proposed move, if it materializes, would not only bolster CSK’s top order but also provide a dependable wicketkeeping option as they prepare for a post-Dhoni era. Whether this high-profile swap takes place remains to be seen.
In this article, we will take a look at the top three players that RR can target;
Shivam Dube
Shivam Dube emerges as a strong candidate the Rajasthan Royals could pursue in exchange for Sanju Samson. Having him on their team would improve their middle-order significantly, as he gives them a left-handed option that adds balance and variety to their batting order. Moreover, his ability to tackle spinners makes Dube a special type of weapon in Indian conditions. And while he may not have bowled in recent times, he would be worth selecting for his batting alone. While Dube’s footwork may hinder him on the slow Sawai Mansingh Stadium pitches, he brings strength against spin and that’s an important factor for the Royals.
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The star India batter did not have an outstanding IPL 2025, but he has still shown his ability to contribute 357 runs in 14 appearances. Just a mixed bag, but he can add value as he is a left-handed bat. He averages 143.66 in his overall IPL career; however, in IPL 2025, it fell to 132.22, which the Rajasthan Royals will have to consider if they are going to trade for him. He can hit long balls, and a left-handed bat in the middle is a good fit for Rajasthan. When they are evaluating the pros and cons of swapping Dube, if there is an opportunity to swap him for Samson, having Dube would be additional depth and firepower to the batting unit.
Khaleel Ahmed
RR could also aim for left-arm pacer Khaleel Ahmed as a potential replacement for Sanju Samson. Ahmed had a solid IPL 2025 season, taking 15 wickets to be one of the few CSK performers to stand out in their poor overall season. He followed up with an equally good 2024 season for Delhi Capitals, where he took 17 wickets in 14 matches. Ahmed has performed well over the last two seasons and has improved as a T20 seamer to be able to perform in pressure situations.
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Ahmed is originally from Rajasthan and plays domestic cricket for the state, so he would relish the chance to play for his home franchise. The left-arm pacer is capable of swinging the ball back into right-handers and has disciplined line and length and sharp speed as a T20 weapon. In addition, his addition to RR’s bowling unit would add to RR’s variety to offer and depth, especially on home pitches that favour smart seamers.
Urvil Patel
Wicketkeeper-batter Urvil Patel could potentially fill a void if the Rajasthan Royals decide to move on from captain Sanju Samson as a like-for-like replacement. While Patel has limited experience in the IPL, having debuted in 2025, he has the explosive potential that is appealing. While he may not have significant experience, he displayed promise in the first few games that he played.
The 26-year-old had played in three innings and exhibited a couple of quickfire knocks of 31 and 37 against the Kolkata Knight Riders and the Gujarat Titans, respectively.
Although he had a single duck, he opened eyes with his capacity to score quickly. He ended the season with an impressive strike rate of 212.50 and hit five fours and six sixes in limited chances. His raw, aggressive intent, natural stroke play, and value in the shortest format make him a player worth as the next investment.
With the history of the Royals investing in rookie talent, Patel could be a shrewd investment for the future, if RR is looking to lessen their risk in the long haul. Although he likely does not provide the leadership or consistency of the veteran Samson at this time, his raw talent could see the Royals find themself a wicketkeeper solution for the future if they decided to go another direction without their experienced captain or go with an experienced back-up.
