(Image source from: Instagram.com/chennaiipl)

There are several months left until the Indian Premier League (IPL) teams set their plans for the 2026 season, yet talk of possible trades and changes is already trending on social platforms. Recently, the news about Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson leaving has been all over the cricket scene, with suggestions that Chennai Super Kings might be the perfect place for him. A recent post on social media claims that Ravichandran Ashwin, who returned to CSK last year, has requested to be let go by the team’s management. Ashwin's return to the Chennai team last year created a lot of excitement, especially since it was with this team that he started his career. However, his time back with the team seems to be short-lived, as the seasoned spinner, who has now stepped away from international play, is looking for new opportunities.

Ashwin did not have a very strong IPL 2025 season, playing only 9 matches for CSK and taking just 7 wickets. His disappointing season also saw him sitting out many games, as the team looked for younger options. At 38 years old, Ashwin might not be the best fit for CSK, which has many players over the age of 30. If the rumors about Samson leaving Rajasthan Royals are true, he would be a great choice for CSK. As both a wicket-keeper batter and a captain, Samson could be the perfect person to take over from MS Dhoni, who is expected to step down before the 2026 season. Interestingly, Ashwin has had a lot of success with the Rajasthan team. Therefore, a trade between Ashwin and Samson could potentially work out well for both RR and CSK.