A single social media activity has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world ahead of IPL 2026 auction. A recent 'hint' from Sanju Samson's manager has intensified the possibility of his transfer to Chennai Super Kings from Rajasthan Royals in the next season.

Fans are wondering whether this would come true and change the landscape for both the teams in the future, or is it just another false call.

There's been a mixed bag of positive and upsetting reactions in the past 24 hours, but the real question still stands: Will Sanju Samson join CSK for IPL 2026? Check out how Manager's hint fuels mega transfer rumours.

"Time to Move": Samson's recent viral Instagram post

On June 7, Sanju Samson posted a photo on Instagram that begin the rumors. The image featured him alongside his wife, crossing a prominent yellow line on the road. He captioned the post: "Time to MOVE..!!"

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Sanju V Samson (@imsanjusamson)

This visual cue, combined with the caption and the fact that a Tamil song ('Mun Andhi' from 7 Aum Arivu) was also part of the post, immediately sparked discussion. The comments section was quickly flooded with fans linking the "yellow" color and the "move" message to the Chennai Super Kings.

Comments like "He is definitely moving to CSK" and "Welcome to CSK 💛" can be seen all over the post.

Read Also: "Whatever the future brings," Yashasvi Jasiwal's cryptic post after the Royals' end of IPL 2025

Manager's IPL 2026 hint that sparked Sanju Samson transfer rumours

The intense speculation regarding Sanju Samson moving to CSK for IPL 2026 intensified due to a subtle yet impactful social media action by his manager, Prashob Suvedan. He liked a viral post on X (formerly Twitter), which explicitly stated that Samson might be released from Rajasthan Royals ahead of the IPL 2026 auction.

This gets more interesting as the post also claimed CSK having already approached Samson regarding the move.

Therefore, the timing and nature of his manager's digital interaction ignited widespread speculation and put a layer of possibility about this matter.

Read Also: Value of the IPL Franchises since 2008 to the present

How the cricket fans reacted:

Fans have flooded with opinions and future calculations after the incident. Here's a glimpse of that:

Can’t blame them 😉 https://t.co/XviV2CVSM8 pic.twitter.com/RHsZDNJUZ7

— Sanju Samson Fans Page (@SanjuSamsonFP) June 16, 2025

🚨 Sanju Samson wants to join CSK, CSK wants Sanju Samson. Talks are on but it is not at all this simple.

RR doesn't want to trade Samson with any CSK's player, if Samson wants to join CSK then he will have to do it through auction. But then in Auction there is KKR who gonna… pic.twitter.com/Dy6mpX1Ke2

— Rajiv (@Rajiv1841) June 17, 2025

Sanju Samson's manager Prashobh Sudevan has liked a post which says that Sanju Samson will be released by Rajasthan Royals.

This means that Sanju is definitely joining CSK.💛#csk #WhistlePodu #IPL #SanjuSamson #MSDhoni𓃵 pic.twitter.com/VNtAiOzlrs

— kuldeep singh (@kuldeep0745) June 16, 2025

For years, the Board of Control for Crock in India (BCCI) has navigated various challenges. However a recent coury order is set to have a major financial impact on the sport's governing body.

This ruling revisits a past chapter involving a former IPL team and a long-standing dispute with them. The decision has arrived after a decade of the case, and brings a major setback for BCCI as Bombay HC orders to pay ₹538 crore to defunct IPL team Kochi Tuskers Kerala.

Read the full story to know why.

How the BCCI-Kochi Tuskers Kerala dispute began

The root of this major legal battle dates back to 2011, when the BCCI terminated the contract of the IPL team Kochi Tuskers Kerala. The team, managed by Kochi Cricket Private Limited (KCPL), had only played in one IPL season.

The BCCI claimed they ended the contract because Kochi Tuskers failed to provide a required annual bank guarantee by a deadline in March 2011. This was seen by the BCCI as a serious breach of their agreement.

However, the team owners had a different view. They argued that their delay was due to several issues, including problems with the stadium in Kochi and delays in getting necessary approvals. They also stated that the BCCI continued to deal with them and even accepted payments for months after the March deadline.

The team owners believed this showed the BCCI had waived or overlooked the deadline, making their sudden contract termination unfair.

Taking the matter to arbitration:

Because they felt the termination was wrong, the Kochi Tuskers owners took the matter to arbitration in 2012. An independent tribunal looked at all the facts. In June 2015, this tribunal ruled in favor of Kochi Tuskers Kerala.

The tribunal specifically directed the BCCI to pay ₹384.83 crore to Kochi Cricket Private Limited (KCPL) for lost earnings and ₹153.34 crore to Rendezvous Sports World (RSW) for a wrongfully cashed bank guarantee. These amounts also included interest and legal costs.

Read Also: Anaya Bangar requests BCCI, ICC to revisit their current policies on transgender inclusion in women’s cricket

The Financial Fallout: Why ₹538 crore to be paid now?

The BCCI challenged the 2015 arbitration award in the Bombay High Court, arguing it was unfair and that the damages were too high. However, the recent Bombay HC ruling upheld the original arbitration decision.

This means the BCCI is now legally required to pay a total of over ₹538 crore, including accumulated interest since 2015, to the KTK owners. This represents a major financial loss and a significant legal defeat for the Indian cricket board.

Punjab Kings (PBKS) lost to Royal Challengers Bangaluru (RCB) by 6 runs in the final of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2025). With this, PBKS' dream of winning the first title remained unfulfilled. At the same time, PBKS' veteran spinner Yuzvendra Chahal once again failed to win the trophy.

Also Read: From emerging star to captain fantastic: Shreyas Iyer's IPL journey

So, let's know about those selected players who played 3 IPL finals and their team lost in all of them.

Players who lost all IPL finals

3. Mohit Sharma | 3 IPL Finals

Delhi Capitals' Mohit Sharma is another IPL star to have lost the final thrice. Mohit was part of CSK's squad from 2013-2015, where the five-time winners suffered defeats against Mumbai Indians in both the finals. It is worth noting that Sharma was part of both the finals. 

Mohit's third try to win an IPL trophy was in 2023 with Gujarat Titans against his former team Chennai Super Kings, but suffered a heartbreaking defeat, as he also bowled the last over of the match and conceded 10 runs in the final two balls. 

2. Rahul Tripathi | 3 IPL Finals

Rahul Tripathi is another star to have lost three finals with three different teams. Rahul has played for several IPL franchises in his career and played his first final in 2017 when he represented Rising Pune Supergiants. Tripathi got another shot at the trophy in 2021 with KKR, but lost to Chennai Super Kings. 

The right-hand batter then moved to Sunrisers Hyderabad from KKR and reached the finals in 2024, but suffered a heartbreak against his former team Kolkata Knight Riders. 

1. Yuzvendra Chahal | 3 IPL Finals

Yuzvendra Chahal is yet to win an IPL trophy and the right-arm leg-spinner came close thrice, but fell short on all three occasions. The first time Chahal played an IPL final was in 2016 with RCB, where the defending champions suffered a heartbreak against Sunrisers Hyderabad. 

Also Read: Most successful teams in T20 leagues around the world

Chahal's second exposure to IPL final was in 2022 when he moved to Rajasthan Royals and locked horns against Gujarat Titans. The fate didn't favour Chahal as Gujarat won the trophy in their maiden season. 

The recently concluded IPL final between RCB and PBKS was the third time Chahal tried his luck to win an IPL trophy, but couldn't cross the line as his side fell short by six runs. 

Shreyas Iyer's IPL journey is a compelling story of growth, dedication, and leadership. From stepping into the grand stage as a promising young batsman to eventually shouldering the responsibility of captaincy and winning the trophy, he has finally earned the love and respect he deserved from all the cricket fans.

Explore this journey with us and relive those battles he fought to evolve from an emerging star to captain fantastic!

Iyer's IPL debut and initial impact (2015-2017) | Delhi Capitals

Shreyas Iyer made his IPL debut at the age of 20 years and 6 months in 2015 season. His journey began with a bang when he was acquired by Delhi Capitals for ₹2.6 crore, which made headlines as he became the highest earning uncapped player in the tournament.

His auction bid spotlight on him and he responded with a sensational debut, scoring 439 runs at an average of 33.76 in that season. He also won the IPL emerging player for the season award in 2015.

Iyer became DC's favourite and was retained for seven years in a row.

Read Also: Teams to finish last in IPL Points Table

Youngest captain for DC and early leadership (2018)

The 2018 season was a significant turning point in Shreyas Iyer's IPL journey. At the age of 23 years and 142 days, he was given the captaincy, which made him the youngest captain for DC franchise and the fourth-youngest in any IPL side in history.

Iyer smashed a match-winning knock of 93* runs off 40 balls against KKR in his captaincy debut. In the 8 matches he captained, DC won 4 out of them, showing a 50% winning rate.

Leading from the front: The Delhi Capitals Era (2019-2022)

Iyer continued as a captain, leading the franchise into a new, more successful era from 2019 onwards. He led the team into the playoffs for the first time in seven years, finishing third in the league stage in IPL 2019.

He also had a strong season with the bat, scoring 463 runs.

Read Also: Most wins after 76 games as captain in IPL

Maiden Final appearance: A historic season (2020)

Under his strong leadership, Delhi Capitals reached their maiden IPL final in the history of the tournament in IPL 2020. While the team lost to Mumbai Indians in the finals, Iyer's captaincy was highly praised.

He scored 65* runs off 50 balls in the final match.

Iyer's stats for DC (2015-2021)

Throughout his captaincy tenure (2018-2020), Iyer consistently contributed with the bat. His best season with the bat was in IPL 2020, when he scored 519 runs in 17 matches.

He was succeeded by Rishabh Pant as the captain in IPL 2021 season.

He scored a total of 2375 runs in 87 matches for Delhi Capitals.

A new chapter: KKR and the title glory (2022-2024)

Shreyas Iyer entered the 2022 mega auction and was picked by Kolkata Knight Riders for ₹12.25 crore, and was immediately appointed as the new captain.

His first year with KKR concluded with a 7th position finish in the points table, and him scoring 401 runs in 14 matches total.

Missing a season (2023)

Iyer was ruled out entirely of IPL 2023 due to his back injury and Nitish Rana stepped in as the captain for KKR during his absence. He eventually recovered and made a grand comeback in the next season.

The Champion season: Leading KKR to their 3rd IPL title

The 2024 IPL season under Iyer's captaincy was nothing short of a fairy tale for KKR, and they got the ending they deserved. They dominated the game throughout the tournament and finished at the top of the points table.

Things even accelerated in the playoffs, where KKR delivered stunning team performances. They finally clinched the IPL title by defeating SRH by 8 wickets in the Final.

This marked Iyer's first IPL title as a captain.

Read Also: Most IPL Finals: Teams with most final appearances in IPL history

Iyer's stats for KKR (2022-2024)

A record-breaking season with Punjab Kings (2025)

The reigning champion, KKR, made a big decision to not retain Shreyas Iyer ahead he mega auction, which left the fans shocked. However, Punjab Kings acquired him for ₹26.75 crore, making him the second-most expensive player in IPL history.

He was appointed as the captain and consistently proved how he was worth every penny!

Read Also: Suryavanshi touching Dhoni's feet: Here are 10 best moments of IPL 2025

Finishing at the top of the table:

Punjab Kings often struggled for consistency in their earlier seasons, and Shreyas completely changed the narrative for them this year. He started this season for the franchise with a selfless 97*, sacrificing his maiden IPL century, and led the team to 9 wins out of 14 matches.

Under his captaincy, the team not only qualified for the playoffs after 11 years, but also finished at the top of the table in league stage.

Leading PBKS to a historic Final 

After breaking the 11-year drought of qualifying for playoffs, the team also reached their first final since 2014. Shreyas Iyer single-handedly made this possible with his match-winning knock of 87* off 41 balls in the Qualifier 2. He also became the captain with most 50+ scores in IPL playoffs.

Punjab put up an extremely tough fight for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the final, ultimately losing by just 6 runs. Iyer's impact was undeniable for PBKS, who made this season a memorable one for them.

He also became the first captain to lead 3 different teams to the IPL Finals (DC in 2020, KKR in 2024, and PBKS in 2025).

Read Also: Most 50+ scores as a captain in IPL playoffs

Iyer's stats for PBKS (2025)

Shreyas Iyer was the highest-scorer for PBKS in 2025 and finished 6th in the Orange Cap leaderboard. He also smashed 39 sixes in this season, which overall the second-highest.

T20 cricket is defined by explosive performances and relentless competition. Beyond the thrill of individual matches, the true quality of a team lies in its ability to consistently dominate the game.

Check out the most successful teams in T20 leagues around the world and their unmatched legacy in tournaments like Indian Premier League, Big Bash League, Carribbean Premier League, and more.

From the subcontinent to Australia and the Carribbean, here's the teams with highest achievements in the shortest format of cricket.

Chennai Super Kings (5 Titles) | IPL

Chennai Super Kings stand as one of the most successful franchises in the Indian Premier League (IPL), having 5 titles to their name. Under the brilliant leadership of MS Dhoni, this team has reached the playoffs 10 times out of their 16 seasons played in the tournament.

CSK is known for adapting well in different conditions, calmness under pressure, strategic use of spin bowlers, and the deep batting line-up that balances the team. 

Iconic players like Shane Watson, Michael Hussey, Dwayne Bravo, and Ravichandran Ashwin were all a part of this successful franchise.

They won the 2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, and 2023 IPL seasons.

Read Also: IPL Winners list of last 12 years

Mumbai Indians (5 Titles) | IPL

Sharing the top spot with 5 titles, Mumbai Indians, is another big successful team of IPL. Their journey began under the leadership of legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Ricky Ponting, with Rohit Sharma leading the team to five victories in the end.

The MI franchise identifies and nurtures raw talent, transforming them into match-winners. Their success credits intelligent auction buys, strong core of retained players, and good support staffs.

They won the 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2020 IPL seasons.

Perth Scorchers (5 Titles) | BBL

In the Australian Big Bash League (BBL), Perth Scorchers are the undisputed champions, also with 5 titles. They are known for their consistent home dominance, making Optus Stadium in Perth a fortress, where opponents rarely win.

Players like Adam Voges, Ashton Turner, and Andrew Tye have been central figures in their success. The franchise focus on picking players who perfectly fit in their style and thrive in Australian conditions.

They won 2013-14, 2014-15, 2016-17, 2021-22, and 2022-23 BBL seasons.

Read Also: WBBL 2021: Perth Scorchers wins maiden WBBL title

Jaffna Kings (4 Titles) | LPL

Jaffna Kings have quickly become the top team in the Lanka Premier League (LPL), winning 4 titles in a short time. Their former captain Thisara Perera and Shoaib Malik have been vital to their winning streak.

They won the inaugural season of the tournament in 2020, and moved forward with three-in-a-row wins (2021, 2022). They also won the title in 2024 season.

They form the squad with an equal balance of smart bowling and power-hitting with Sri Lankan players and impactful international stars.

Trinbago Knight Riders (4 Titles) | CPL

Trinbago Knight Riders are the most successful successful team in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), with 4 titles. The franchise is owned by the Knight Riders group, which also owns the KKR team in IPL.

Legendary players like Kieron Pollard and Sunil Narine have been cornerstones of their success. Their consistently attracting and keeping strong players, along with their dominant approach for the game, makes them a truly formidable side.

The won the 2015, 2016, 2020, and 2024 CPL seasons.

Read Also: Most Fifties in T20 Cricket

Comilla Victorians (4 Titles) | BPL

In the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL),Comilla Victorians have become the leading team with 4 titles. They have won every final they played in, showing incredible success rate.

Key players like Tamim Iqbal and the exceptional captain Imrul Kayes have played major roles in their historic journey.

They won the title in 2015, 2019, 2022 and 2023 BPL seasons.

Islamabad United (3 Titles) | PSL

Islamabad United stands out in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), not just for their 3 titles, but also for winning the inaugural final. Their early double titles have strengthened their presence in the tournament.

Legendary players include their former captain Misbah-ul-Haq, and more recently, the all-rounder captain Shadab Khan have notable contributions in their PSL journey.

They won 2016, 2018, and 2024 PSL seasons.

Read Also: The Greatest T20I Records That Will Stand the Test of Time

Sunrisers Eastern Cape (2 Titles) | SA20

Sunrisers Eastern Cape are the only team to have won the SA20 title 2 times. They also hold the record for most wins in a single season of the tournament (9 wins in 2024).

Owned by the Indian SUN group, which also owns SRH team in IPL, have strategically picked players who turned out to be match-winners. Outstanding bowling performances from Marco Jansen and Ottneil Baartman played a key role in their memorable victories, along with good captaincy of Aiden Markram.

They won 2023 and 2024 SA20 seasons.

IPL 2025 concluded with a highly competitive final and gave us a new champion franchise. RCB lifted the trophy after waiting for 18-long years and finally etched their name in the prestigious IPL history. This win is expected to further enhance their brand value significantly.

When IPL started back in 2008 the combined cost of eight frachises was rupees 3000 crore. It marks a huge difference as compared to the recent years, as IPL is the second-richest sports league in the world by per-match value.

The value of the IPL franchises is different from team to team. And this is a detailed list of the value of the IPL Franchises from 2008 to the present.

Chennai Super Kings | ₹1012.6 crore

Consistently at the top, Chennai Super Kings maintains its position as the most valuable IPL franchise, with a value ₹1012.6 crore (USD: $122M.

Apart from being the five-time IPL champions, their value is heavily influenced by performances, loyalty, huge fan base, and one of the pivotal members behind their success, none other than MS Dhoni.

Mumbai Indians | ₹987.7 crore

It seems like Mumbai Indians have a knack for being at the top of everything. The five-time IPL champions have not only won IPL the most number of times but also have the second-highest brand value among all the teams, which is ₹987.7 crore (USD: $119M).

Backed by a strong corporate ownership of Mukesh Ambani, MI remain one of the most recognised and valuable brands, along with a massive fan following.

Read also: IPL Winners list of last 12 years

Royal Challengers Bangalore | ₹971.1 crore

Since the beginning of IPL, Royal Challengers Bangalore always had a star-studded lineup. With a brand value of ₹971.1 crore (USD: $117M), RCB has the third-highest team value in IPL. 

Despite a history of not winning the IPL trophy until 2025, RCB has been one of the most popular teams due to its association with global icons like Virat Kohli, and its passionate fanbase.

Their recent IPL victory is expected to further solidify and exceed the 1000-cr mark in their already impressive brand value.

Kolkata Knight Riders | ₹904.7 crore

The franchise with the fourth-highest brand value is the 3-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders. Owned by bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, KKR is a brand with glamour and strategic play.

Their value is approximately ₹904.7 crore (USD: $109M), and the 2024 victory has further strengthened their strong market position and fan engagement.

Sunrisers Hyderabad | ₹705.5 crore

Sunrisers Hyderabad has shown impressive growth in brand value over the years, strongly because of their splendid performances and consistent playoffs presence. They have a value of ₹705.5 crore (USD: $81M).

SRH has also earned the love and support of their dedicated 'Orange Army' fanbase in their region that contribute to their valuation.

Rea Also: Most P.O.T.M Awards in IPL

Rajasthan Royals | ₹672.3 crore

The inaugural IPL champions, Rajasthan Royals, started their IPL journey with a bang but slowly things turned around and they lacked consistent good performance.

At the moment, their brand value amounts to ₹672.3 crore (USD: $81M), boosted by their strong digital presence, innovative team building and other strategies.

Delhi Capitals | ₹664 crore

Despite never having an IPL title to their name, Delhi Capitals have a steady brand value of ₹644 crore (USD: $80M).

They put up a good fight in the 2025 season and narrowly left behind a playoffs berth, which creates a space for a hopeful comeback next year and rise in value.

Gujarat Titans | ₹572.7 crore

A new addition in IPL 2022, Gujarat Titans, is owned by CVC Capital (a private equity fund), and has made an immediate impact as a relatively new team.

They emerged as the IPL champions in their first season (IPL 2022), which plays a major role in their value of ₹572.7 crore (USD: $69M) at the moment.

Read Also: Teams to finish last in IPL Points Table

Punjab Kings | ₹564.4 crore

Punjab Kings is one of the original IPL franchises, with a value of ₹564.4 crore (USD: $68M). They had an incredible season in IPL 2025 under the captaincy of Shreyas Iyer. They fell short of 6 runs to secure their maiden IPL title this season, and ended up at the runners-up side.

PBKS were also the table toppers in IPL 2025, and their performance helped gain a lot of new fan following, which will reflect in the coming years and value.

Lucknow Super Giants | ₹498 crore

Another new franchise formed in 2022, Lucknow Super Giants quickly established itself by making it to the playoffs twice in a row.

Backed by the Sanjiv Goenka-led RPSG group, LSG's brand value is currently ₹498 crore (USD: $60M) and is steadily increasing.

Value of defunct IPL franchises

Some now-defunct teams like Deccan Chargers and Pune Warriors India had a memorable IPL journey. Here we bring you their values:

Deccan Chargers | ₹428 crore

Deccan Chargers, based in the city of Hyderabad, is one of the 8 teams from the inaugural edition. They lifted their maiden IPL trophy in IPL 2009.

Unfortunately, the team washed out of existence in 2012. The brand value of the team was ₹428 crore.

Read also: Every IPL team owners list

Kochi Tuskers Kerala | ₹1533 crore

With a brand value of ₹1533 crore, Kochi Tuskers Kerala, started its journey of IPL in 2011. It was one of the 2 teams that joined IPL in 2011, and they just lasted a year in the tournament.

Pune Warriors India 

The second franchise to join the Indian Premier League in 2011 is Pune Warriors India. The team was acquired by Sahada Adventure Sports Ltd for ₹17.02 billion. They withdrew from participating the next year due to future uncertainties.