Sanju Samson's Future with Rajasthan Royals in Jeopardy Ahead of IPL 2026
Speculations Surrounding Sanju Samson's Departure
Rumors regarding Sanju Samson's potential departure from the Rajasthan Royals are intensifying as IPL 2026 approaches. Following the conclusion of the Royals' IPL 2025 season, speculation arose that Samson might leave the franchise before the next season of the lucrative T20 league.
According to reports from a sports news outlet, tensions have reportedly escalated between Samson and the Rajasthan Royals. The captain has allegedly requested either a trade or his release into the auction ahead of IPL 2026. However, the exact reasons for his desire to part ways with the team, where he debuted in 2013 and played until 2025, remain unclear.
Possible Trade to Chennai Super Kings
There is growing speculation about a potential trade involving Sanju Samson moving to the Chennai Super Kings, who have shown interest in acquiring the wicketkeeper-batter through a swap deal if he becomes available. Nevertheless, the Rajasthan Royals have reportedly expressed their reluctance to trade Samson, emphasizing his role as the team's 'undisputed captain.'
Reasons Behind Samson's Potential Exit
While there has been no official confirmation regarding Sanju Samson's exit from the Rajasthan Royals, former Indian cricketer and commentator Aakash Chopra has shared insights into the situation. He suggested that the emergence of Vaibhav Suryavanshi during the IPL season and the recent India U19 tour of England may have prompted Samson to feel insecure about his position in the team.
Chopra remarked, "Why would Sanju Samson want to leave? It's intriguing because during the last mega auction, they let Jos Buttler go, likely because Yashasvi had arrived, and Sanju wanted to open. Sanju and Rajasthan Royals had a strong bond." He further noted that there might have been a lack of input from Samson regarding player retention or release decisions, leading to his desire to leave.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi's Impressive Rise
Vaibhav Suryavanshi gained recognition before his IPL debut by scoring a century for India A against Australia A in a four-day match. The 14-year-old played a crucial role in helping India U19 reach the final of the Asia Cup U19, where they finished as runners-up against Bangladesh.
Suryavanshi had a remarkable IPL season as the youngest player, accumulating 252 runs, including a century and a fifty, with an average of 36 and an impressive strike rate of 206 across seven matches. His stellar performance earned him a place in the India U19 squad for the Youth ODI series against England.
Continuing his excellent form, Suryavanshi scored 355 runs in the Youth ODI series, including a century and a fifty, averaging 71.00 in five matches, making him the highest run-scorer of the series. Given his consistent performances, he is being hailed as a future star in Indian cricket.
The Rajasthan Royals management is already nurturing Vaibhav Suryavanshi as a key player after acquiring him for INR 1.1 crore at the IPL auction last year.