Sanju Samson on CSK move: ‘Waited for this day… wearing yellow feels different'

Sanju Samson has finally spoken about his high-voltage switch to the Chennai Super Kings, calling his first moment in the franchise’s iconic yellow jersey nothing short of surreal.

CSK released a video on their social media channels showing Samson wearing his new No. 11 yellow kit — a visual that immediately sent fans into a frenzy ahead of the IPL 2026 mini-auction.

In the video, Samson confessed that the move had been a long time coming. “I have been waiting for this day. I’m very fortunate that I’m going to wear the yellow jersey,” he said, describing the experience as one that carried an unexpectedly powerful emotional charge.

Known for spending most of his IPL career in darker shades, Samson admitted the shift in colours brought a different kind of energy. “Yellow… it felt positive. I felt happy. I felt like a champion,” he said. “I never thought how it would feel to wear CSK’s jersey, but when I did, it hit differently.”

The trade that brought Samson to Chennai was one of the biggest moves of the season. CSK, long searching for a strong Indian top-order successor to MS Dhoni’s legacy, secured the Rajasthan Royals captain at his existing fee of ₹18 crore.

However, the deal came at a significant cost: the franchise parted ways with two of their most valuable all-rounders — Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran.

The IPL’s media advisory confirmed Jadeja’s fee revision from ₹18 crore to ₹14 crore, while Curran continues at ₹2.4 crore. Jadeja’s exit marks the end of a 12-season chapter with CSK, making the trade one of the most emotionally charged in recent years.

CSK Managing Director Kasi Viswanathan called the decision “tough but mutual,” acknowledging Jadeja’s pivotal role in the franchise’s success.

He revealed that the senior all-rounder himself felt he was entering the later stages of his white-ball career and welcomed the change.

“The team management felt the need for a top-order Indian batsman,” Viswanathan said. “Leaving out Jadeja was one of the toughest decisions we’ve ever taken, but it was done with mutual understanding.”

For now, all eyes are on Samson — one of the IPL's most seasoned players with 177 matches — as he begins a new chapter with only the third franchise of his career.

And if his first reaction is any indication, Chennai’s newest recruit is already embracing the yellow with champion-like confidence.