Sanju Samson represented Rajasthan Royals from 2013 to 2015. Later, he was with the Delhi Daredevils, and then was appointed as captain of RR in 2021. In the year 2022, he led the side to their first-ever final, since their triumph in the inaugural season in 2008
Sanju Samson (Pic: File Pic)
Ahead of the IPL 2026 auction, Rajasthan Royals skipper Sanju Samson has informed the franchise that he wants to be released.
According to ESPNCricinfo, the right-hander had informed the management about his decision after the conclusion of the 2025 edition.
As the Royals conducted their season review meeting in June, the franchise has yet to respond to their skipper's request. There's still a possibility of the management asking Samson to stay.
Owner Manoj Badale stayed tight-lipped on the matter and however, he and head coach Rahul Dravid will jointly make the decision.
If RR agree to release Samson, they could either trade him to another franchise or let him go into the auction pool. According to the IPL contract, the franchise has the final say in such situations. A potential trade could be in the form of a player swap or an all-cash deal.
Sanju Samson represented Rajasthan Royals from 2013 to 2015. Later, he was with the Delhi Daredevils, and then was appointed as captain of RR in 2021. In the year 2022, he led the side to their first-ever final, since their triumph in the inaugural season in 2008.
However, the team released two of its top players, Jos Buttler and Yuzvendra Chahal, ahead of the 2025 mega auction, despite their Orange and Purple Cap wins in 2022.
Samson was among the six players who were retained by the franchise for a hefty price tag of Rs 18 crore. The other five players were Yashasvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Sandeep Sharma and Shimron Hetmyer.
In the concluded IPL 2025, the Kerala-born cricketer played just nine out of 14 matches, as he was sustaining a side strain. In his absence, Riyan Parag was appointed as the stand-in captain.
However, the side concluded their IPL 2025 campaign with just four victories and in ninth place.
Currently, Samson is training at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru as part of a routine programme for a group of players identified by the national selectors. He is expected to be selected for the Asia Cup, scheduled to begin in the UAE from September 9. Before that, he will be seen in action in the Kerala Cricket League, where he was picked by Kochi Blue Tigers for INR 26.8 lakh, the highest bid of the tournament.
(With ANI Inputs)
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