Sanju Samson, the current captain of Rajasthan Royals, has found himself at the centre of intense IPL speculation. The Indian wicketkeeper-batter, who has long been a fan favourite in Jaipur, has reportedly expressed a desire to part ways with the franchise ahead of the 2026 season. Sources suggest that Samson has asked RR to either trade or release him, seeking a fresh chapter in his IPL journey.
Sanju Samson first donned the Royals jersey in IPL 2013 before moving to Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) for the 2016 and 2017 seasons. He returned to Rajasthan in 2018 and, three years later, was named captain. Under his leadership, RR reached the IPL 2022 final, marking one of their most memorable campaigns in recent years.
Before IPL 2025, the franchise retained Sanju Samson for a hefty INR 18 crore. However, the season turned out to be a disappointment, with RR finishing ninth on the table, managing just four wins from 14 matches.
Sanju Samson Reflects on His Journey with Rajasthan Royals
In a recent conversation on former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin’s YouTube channel, Sanju Samson spoke warmly about his time with the Rajasthan Royals (RR). He expressed gratitude for the faith the franchise showed in him right from the beginning of his IPL career.
“RR has been everything to me,” Samson shared. “As a young boy from a small village in Kerala, I dreamed of showcasing my talent on a big stage. Rahul Dravid sir and Manoj Badale sir gave me that opportunity to prove myself to the world.”
He continued, “They believed in me from the start. My journey with RR has been truly special, and I feel very fortunate to be part of such a team. It means a great deal to me.”
However,Sanju Samson is currently reevaluating his IPL future following a challenging 2025 season under his captaincy. Reports from Cricbuzz suggest that with the rise of openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Sanju Samson has been moved to the No. 3 batting position — a role he is reportedly not keen on.
In IPL 2025, Samson featured in just nine of the 14 matches due to multiple injuries, amassing 285 runs at a strike rate of 140.39, including one half-century.