'Riyan Parag is the reason...'- Former CSK batter reveals why Sanju Samson wants to leave RR ahead of IPL 2026

Sanju Samson's future in Rajasthan Royals (RR) currently is in a dilemma, which can result in the exit of the keeper-batter from RR. There are several reports on social media claiming Samson's possible move ahead of IPL 2026.

But there is no clear reason revealed why the top-order batter would like to leave the franchise and can join Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Former CSK cricketer Subramaniam Badrinath dug out a reason behind Sanju's possible move from Rajasthan to Chennai. According to Badrinath, Riyan Parag can be the reason. When

Samson, the regular skipper of RR for IPL 2025, missed multiple matches due to injury, the RR management showed their trust in Parag to lead the team. Badrinath's logic is that when a franchise starts to keep faith in Parag, a player like Samson can consider trying his luck outside the team. "I feel Riyan Parag is the reason. If you consider him for captaincy, how do you expect someone like Samson to stay?" Badrinath said in a video on his YouTube channel.

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Where Sanju will bat if the joins CSK?

The former CSK batter is skeptical about whether Sanju can be a good fit for CSK's combination or not. Reflecting the composure of the Super Kings line-up, Badrinath opined that Samson can be a like-for-like substitution for MS Dhoni. But Dhoni used to bat in the lower middle order, while Samson is a typical top-order batsman. 

"If Sanju Samson does come to CSK, then he could be the like-for-like replacement for MS Dhoni. Samson is a batter who can bat in the top three or four spots in the batting order. He is not someone who could fit in the number five or six spot in the playing XI. CSK are strong in those areas of the playing XI. "Mhatre is settled, Gaikwad is settled, and Brevis is settled," Badrinath added.