Chennai Super Kings joined the cricketing world in wishing Sanju Samson on his 31st birthday, even as the buzz around his potential move to the Chennai franchise continues to grow. Samson, who celebrated his birthday on November 11, remains an integral figure in India’s T20I core, and his future in the IPL has become one of the biggest talking points of the off-season.

Reports emerging on November 9 suggest that CSK are preparing for one of the most high-profile trades ahead of IPL 2026. The proposed deal could see Rajasthan Royals skipper Samson donning the yellow jersey, while CSK’s long-serving all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja may head to Jaipur. Adding another twist, England all-rounder Sam Curran is also expected to join the Royals as part of the same trade package, making this one of the most dramatic multi-player swaps in IPL history.

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With the speculation heating up, CSK added fuel to the fire by penning a warm birthday message to Samson on their official X handle, writing, “More power to you, Sanju! Wishing you a super birthday!” Fans instantly connected the dots, sensing a sign of things to come.

More power to you, Sanju! Wishing you a super birthday! 🥳💛#WhistlePodu pic.twitter.com/f2lE6pWkPy

— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) November 11, 2025

Official confirmation from either franchise is still pending, with retentions expected to be announced on November 15. But former India cricketer Mohammed Kaif believes CSK’s interest in Samson is strategic, hinting at a bigger leadership transition.

According to Kaif, if CSK are pursuing Samson aggressively, it could indicate the franchise is preparing for life after MS Dhoni. Kaif backed Samson’s batting style to flourish in Chennai and even suggested the wicketkeeper-batter could be groomed as a future captain.

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However, Ravichandran Ashwin offered a more measured take. He stated that while Samson is a strong leadership option for the long term, Ruturaj Gaikwad is likely to continue as captain for now. Ashwin believes giving someone the captaincy in their very first season with a new franchise may not align with CSK’s traditional, steady approach.

As the cricket world waits for official word, the Samson-to-CSK storyline is shaping up to be the blockbuster narrative leading into IPL 2026.