Rajasthan Royals Bid Farewell to Sanju Samson Ahead of IPL 2026

In a surprising move, Rajasthan Royals have traded their long-time star Sanju Samson to Chennai Super Kings ahead of IPL 2026. Former cricketer Faf du Plessis reflects on Samson's significant role as the face of the franchise, emphasizing the impact of his departure. The Royals are set to kick off their season against CSK on March 30, with a lineup that includes new acquisitions like Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran. Explore the full details of this trade and the Royals' upcoming matches in the IPL.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 19, 2026, 13:15 IST

Sanju Samson's Departure from Rajasthan Royals

The Rajasthan Royals (RR) have made a significant change by trading their star wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson, who has been synonymous with the franchise for over a decade in the Indian Premier League (IPL). After representing the Royals for 11 seasons, Samson will now join the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), a team that has claimed the championship five times. In exchange, the Royals have acquired England all-rounder Sam Curran and seasoned player Ravindra Jadeja from CSK.

Du Plessis Reflects on Samson's Impact

In a discussion on JioHotstar, former South African cricketer Faf du Plessis emphasized the importance of Samson not only as a player but as a pivotal figure for the team. He noted that Samson's contributions and leadership made him a beloved figure among fans and integral to the Royals' identity in the IPL. Du Plessis remarked, "When I think of iconic teams in the IPL, they all have a marquee Indian player who has been the face of the franchise for a significant time, like Rohit Sharma, MS Dhoni, and Virat Kohli. For me, Sanju Samson was that player for Rajasthan Royals." He further added, "Losing that face is a huge loss for the fans and the tournament, given his substantial role in it."

IPL 2026 Schedule for Rajasthan Royals

The Rajasthan Royals, led by Riyan Parag, are gearing up for their IPL 2026 campaign, with their first match scheduled against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in Guwahati on March 30. Following this, they will face the Gujarat Titans, captained by Shubman Gill, on April 4 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Their subsequent matches include a clash with the Mumbai Indians on April 7 and a game against the defending champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, on April 10.

Rajasthan Royals Squad for IPL 2026

The squad for Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2026 includes: Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran, Donovan Ferreira, Sandeep Sharma, Shubham Dubey, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Lhuan-Dre Pretorius, Shimron Hetmyer, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, Riyan Parag, Yudhvir Singh Charak, Jofra Archer, Tushar Deshpande, Kwena Maphaka, Nandre Burger, Ravi Bishnoi, Sushant Mishra, Yash Raj Punja, Vignesh Puthur, Ravi Singh, Aman Rao, Brijesh Sharma, Adam Milne, and Kuldeep Sen.