Hanuma Vihari on Samson's CSK stint (Source: @CricCrazyJohns/x.com, @ReplySensei/x.com)
After the IPL 2025 was wrapped up, the Indian fans were waiting for the next season, but some of the shocking trades grabbed attention. In a move no one saw coming, Sanju Samson joined CSK, while Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran were sent to RR.
With Sanju’s big move, question raised over this trade, and now veteran Indian cricketer Hanuma Vihari has weighed in. Reflecting on the decision, he suggested it wasn’t just a tactical call on the field; Samson’s massive fan following played a decisive role.
Vihari spills the real story behind Sanju’s blockbuster CSK trade
IPL never fails to turn heads with unreal actions, but sometimes the strategic masterstrokes beyond the 22 yards delivered the same drama. Sanju Samson’s future at RR was already under the spotlight, then came the real stunner after the season ended. CSK made a massive trade, named Sanju Samson after them, for the upcoming season, and Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran were moved to RR.
Sanju’s new stint sparked buzz as the fans kept guessing his role in the CSK setup. While talking to Sanju’s new innings, veteran Indian batter Hanuma Vihari uncovered some shocking truth about the trade. Speaking in a video on his Instagram handle, Vihari pointed out that in the IPL, a player’s fan following and craze can matter just as much as raw talent.
“Samson enjoys huge fan support in the South. When you think about the IPL, it is not just about cricket and if you believe otherwise, you are mistaken. That is because IPL owners think beyond cricket and focus on how much commercial value a player can bring to the team,” he said.
“Samson is a cricketer with a massive fan following. Wherever games are played, Kerala fans turn up and cheer for him. CSK don’t need an opener for the next season. They already have openers,” he added.
Sanju Samson brings intense competition to CSK’s opening slots
Sanju’s arrival might have delighted fans, but the lineup faced a bizarre situation. With Captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, Urvil Patel, and youngster Ayush Mhatre, they already have plenty of options for the opening position, and Samson's inclusion has complicated the jinx. Instead of forcing him at the top, Vihari suggested a smart twist, slotting Samson at number three.
“Ruturaj Gaikwad is also a player who plays as an opener. So, in reality, they did not need Sanju in the team. After returning from injury, he also played at number three for the Rajasthan Royals in the previous season,” he said.
“The likes of Ruturaj Gaikwad, Aayush Mhatre, and Urvil Patel are potent opening options for Chennai, while Samson’s arrival makes competition at the top even more intense. In fact, Samson could be given the no. 3 role in the team,” he added.
Sanju Samson emerges as CSK’s post-Dhoni future
Since MS Dhoni first joined CSK in the inaugural season, the team never really worried about finding a wicketkeeper-batter; Dhoni was simply irreplaceable. As the former Indian skipper is standing on the brink of his career, the franchise needs a future star.
Keeping that in mind, Sanju Samson’s trade to the team seems to be meaningful. The world knows about his reflex behind the stumps, and CSK’s future could be in safe hands when Sanju dons the wicketkeeper’s gloves in the future, carrying MS Dhoni’s legacy.
