India wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson has opened up about his high-profile move from Rajasthan Royals (RR) to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) ahead of IPL 2026, calling the decision a 'huge risk' that ultimately helped him rediscover his love for cricket and unearth 'a new energy' in his game. Samson, who spent 11 seasons with RR and captained the franchise for five of those years, spoke candidly about the transition in an appearance on JioStar's Superstars.

The Risk Behind the Move

'Leaving Rajasthan Royals was a huge risk. Once you convey your feelings to the franchise, there is no going back. You could end up in a team you don't want to go to or even in the auction with no certainty,' Samson said. He revealed the decision followed weeks of deliberation with his family, including his wife, before he concluded that 2025 would be his final season in Jaipur.

Samson also addressed concerns — raised by many observers — that his aggressive batting style might not suit the traditionally slow Chepauk surface. 'I told myself, you are 30 years old. Go out and find a way,' he said. 'This IPL season, I went in with a lot of energy, thinking I had to achieve something. I discovered a new energy there, and it was working very well for me.'

A Difficult Start at CSK

Samson's debut chapter at CSK was far from smooth. He recorded low scores in his first three outings, with the team also losing all three matches — a sobering start that came just weeks after he had been named Player of the Tournament at India's 2026 Men's T20 World Cup triumph. Despite the slump, he credited the franchise's culture for keeping him grounded.

'In T20 cricket, failure is common. In this format, you tend to fail more than you succeed. What really stood out was that the response from the team management and my teammates didn't change even one per cent. When I failed three matches in a row, their faith in me never wavered. That meant a lot to me,' Samson said.

Dhoni's Advice That Changed Everything

It was a brief but pointed conversation with MS Dhoni that proved to be the turning point. After the third consecutive loss, Dhoni sat down with Samson at the nets and asked simply if he was fine. When Samson kept qualifying his response with 'but,' Dhoni cut through: 'Don't get into but. Just focus on doing what you do best. Everything will be alright.'

Samson described it as 'very subtle, but a huge lesson.' Armed with that clarity, he told head coach Stephen Fleming to expect a turnaround — and delivered one immediately, scoring a century against Delhi Capitals in the very next match. 'From there, the momentum came back,' he said.

On Captaincy and Playing Under Ruturaj

Having led RR for five seasons, Samson chose not to seek the captaincy at CSK. He explained that leadership is something that must be earned organically. 'Captaincy is not something you should ask for. It's something that should be given to you because people believe you are the right person,' he said.

He added that his comfort with Ruturaj Gaikwad as captain was a significant factor in his decision. 'Ruturaj was someone I knew I would enjoy playing under. I was ready to play under his captaincy and that was one of the thoughts that guided my decision of not demanding captaincy after joining CSK,' Samson noted.

On National Selection and His Own Process

Samson also reflected on his approach to national selection, reiterating a philosophy of quiet availability over active lobbying. 'I am not the kind of character who will tell my leaders, please select me, I will play. I am always like, I am here. If you want me, call me,' he said.

He acknowledged there have been occasions where he came close to World Cup selection only to be passed over, but maintained that his best performances emerge when he feels genuinely needed — as was the case at CSK and at the 2026 T20 World Cup. 'It's always best to be where you are comfortable,' he concluded. With his IPL resurgence at CSK now firmly established, all eyes will be on whether Samson can carry that momentum into India's next international cycle.