IPL 2026: Sanju Samson Joins Delhi Capitals After Leaving Rajasthan Royals – In one of the biggest moves of the IPL trade window, Sanju Samson has officially joined the Delhi Capitals after parting ways with the Rajasthan Royals. Other teams like Chennai Super Kings, Kolkata Knight Riders, and Lucknow Super Giants, who were also in the race, missed out on the deal.
The trade between Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Capitals had been in discussion for some time, and now it’s finally done. Delhi, who had been eager to bring back their former player, have succeeded in doing so.
An Indian wicket-keeper batter with Sanju Samson’s skill set is a rare find in the IPL. His experience, strong technique at the top of the order, and leadership qualities make him one of the most valuable players in the league.
Sanju Samson’s Deal with Delhi Capitals Finalised
According to the latest updates, Sanju Samson will return to his old team, the Delhi Capitals, through a trade with the Rajasthan Royals. The final retention deadline is around November 15, while the mini-auction is expected to take place in mid-December, between the 13th and 15th.
Earlier reports mentioned that Delhi were very keen on bringing Samson in but did not want to lose any of their existing players. KL Rahul’s name came up during the trade talks, but Delhi, who had signed him in the previous auction, weren’t willing to let him go.
Other Franchises Were Also in the Race
Over the last few months, several IPL teams showed strong interest in signing Sanju Samson. Chennai Super Kings were the first to approach him, as they’ve been searching for a reliable wicket-keeper batter for quite some time.
However, the talks fell through when the Royals reportedly demanded Ravindra Jadeja as part of the deal. After that, Kolkata Knight Riders joined the race, looking to bring Sanju Samson in as both a potential captain and top-order batter.
Eventually, KKR turned their attention to KL Rahul, who they considered more experienced and already had a good working relationship with their new head coach, Abhishek Nayar. For now, nothing has been officially confirmed regarding that move.
Tristan Stubbs to Join Rajasthan Royals in Swap Deal
A report by The Times of India revealed that South African middle-order batter Tristan Stubbs will move to Rajasthan Royals as part of the Samson trade. Delhi Capitals were initially hesitant but eventually agreed, paving the way for Samson’s confirmed switch to Delhi.
There were also talks that the Royals wanted one more uncapped player along with Stubbs to finalize the trade, but Delhi declined that request.
Meanwhile, the proposed KL Rahul trade with KKR didn’t go through either, as the Capitals reportedly asked for two major players from Kolkata’s squad – a condition that KKR’s management did not accept.
With this deal, Sanju Samson’s return to Delhi Capitals marks one of the most exciting pre-auction developments of the season, setting the stage for what promises to be an intriguing IPL 2025.
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