The IPL trade market is buzzing with speculation as former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) wicketkeeper-batter Robin Uthappa has floated a bold proposal — offering Vijay Shankar alongside Ravichandran Ashwin in a potential swap deal with the Rajasthan Royals (RR) for their skipper Sanju Samson. Reports suggest both Samson and Ashwin have expressed their desire to move on from RR and CSK, respectively.
Sanju Samson is widely viewed as an ideal successor to MS Dhoni behind the stumps, while Ashwin, who was a key figure in RR’s bowling attack until his release in 2024, has a proven record with the Jaipur franchise. According to the buzz, RR are willing to consider trading Samson but would demand two players from CSK in return — a condition yet to be officially confirmed. Uthappa, speaking on his YouTube channel, backed the move as a win-win for both sides.
“If CSK can secure him, it’ll be fantastic for them. They’ll have a ready-made wicketkeeping successor to Dhoni in Sanju Samson, rather than looking at Devon Conway as a makeshift option. Sanju’s presence would bring stability and attacking intent,” Robin Uthappa explained.
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Uthappa also pointed out that CSK’s middle-order depth could benefit from including Vijay Shankar in the trade. “They lack a proper finisher at No. 6 or 7 apart from Shimron Hetmyer. Vijay Shankar could fill that role, and he’s a handy bowler too, though he hasn’t been used much.”
CSK: சஞ்சு சாம்சனுக்கு பதிலா அஸ்வின் + ஆல் ரவுண்டரை கொடுக்க சிஎஸ்கே ரெடி? உத்தப்பா மாஸ்டர் பிளான்https://t.co/KuUP8lXV1W#SanjuSamson #ChennaiSuperKings #IPLTrade #RavichandranAshwin #சிஎஸ்கே #TamilMK
— myKhel Tamil (@MykhelTamil) August 13, 2025
Vijay Shankar, part of India’s 2019 World Cup squad, has struggled to make a lasting IPL impact, scoring 1,233 runs at a strike rate under 130 with just nine wickets in 78 matches. His CSK stint has been modest: seven matches for 118 runs and just one over bowled. From RR’s perspective, Uthappa feels the move could also be strategic. With Yashasvi Jaiswal, the emerging Suryavanshi, and Riyan Parag thriving in top-order roles, Samson has often been pushed to No. 4 — a spot that doesn’t align with his preferred role as an opener for India.
“If you’re opening for India, why would you want to bat at No. 4 in the IPL? RR back their young guns, and Samson probably realised his role there won’t change.”
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Financially, the trade would be significant. Ashwin earns ₹9.75 crore at CSK, Shankar ₹1.2 crore, while Samson draws ₹18 crore at RR. For the swap to balance, CSK would need to add over ₹7 crore in cash to the deal. Whether this blockbuster move materialises or remains pure speculation, it’s a trade scenario that could reshape the balance of two of the IPL’s most consistent franchises.
