Categories: Cricket

IPL 2026: Will Sanju Samson Leave RR? Franchise Issues Cryptic Response

Rajasthan Royals Address Rumors About Sanju Samson’s Future: The Rajasthan Royals have finally responded to the growing buzz around skipper Sanju Samson’s future with the team. The Jaipur-based franchise posted a cryptic message on social media, which has only left fans guessing whether their captain will stay or move to another IPL side ahead of the 2026 season.

Reports suggest that Sanju Samson might be on the verge of ending his 11-year journey with the Royals. While there has been plenty of chatter online, neither Sanju Samson nor the franchise has given a clear answer. Meanwhile, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are said to be keeping a close eye on the situation.

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“RR Has Meant the World to Me” – Sanju Samson

On the ‘Kutti Stories’ podcast, Sanju Samson was asked about the rumors by former spinner Ravichandran Ashwin. He responded with a laugh, but that has not stopped speculation from swirling.

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One thing is clear, Sanju Samson has a deep bond with the Royals.

“RR has meant the world to me. A small child coming from a village in Kerala, wanting to show his talent. And then Rahul (Dravid) sir and Manoj Badale sir gave me a stage to get up and show the world what I am made of,” Samson said.

Sanju Samson joined RR as a teenager and immediately caught the eye of Rahul Dravid. Over the years, he has experienced the team’s highs and lows, even leading them to the IPL 2022 final where they fell short against the Gujarat Titans.

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Franchise Reacts to Samson’s Recent Comments

The Royals responded to Samson’s emotional remarks, but the uncertainty around his future remains. Tension between Samson and the team management has been rumored for a while, and even head coach Rahul Dravid had to address those whispers during IPL 2025.

During Samson’s injury absence last season, 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi got a chance to showcase his batting talent. When Samson returned, he was slotted in at No. 3, while the franchise seemed to be grooming Riyan Parag as a possible future captain.

Sanju Samson Is A Royals Mainstay Since 2013

Since his debut in 2013, Samson has been one of RR’s most important players. In 149 IPL matches for the franchise, he has scored more than 4,000 runs at an average of 31.1 and a strike rate above 140. He did spend two seasons with Delhi Capitals in 2016 and 2017 before returning to RR in 2018.

The Kerala-born cricketer has become RR’s most successful captain with 33 wins to his name. His standout IPL season came in 2024 when he scored 531 runs at an average of nearly 48 and a strike rate of 153.47.

Ahead of the mega auction, RR retained Samson for ₹18 crore, one of six players to get that nod. But IPL 2025 turned out to be a tough season for him. A side strain limited him to just nine matches, with Riyan Parag stepping in as stand-in skipper. RR ended the season in ninth place with only four wins.

CSK Waiting in the Wings?

As MS Dhoni’s future remains uncertain, reports suggest that CSK could be interested in bringing Sanju Samson on board as part of their transition plans. Whether Samson chooses to stay loyal to the Royals or take on a fresh challenge elsewhere is a question that fans and rival franchises are eager to see answered.

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Unnati Madan

Unnati is a passionate cricket writer with a deep love and understanding of the game. As a female cricket writer, she brings a unique perspective to the sport, having had to overcome various challenges to pursue her passion for cricket. Growing up, Unnati developed a love for cricket by watching matches with her family. She was always fascinated by the way the game was played, and would often spend hours reading about cricket, analyzing matches, and learning more about the sport. However, as a female in a male-dominated industry, she faced numerous obstacles to pursue her passion for cricket writing. Despite this, Unnati persevered and became an accomplished writer in the field. Unnati’s writing style is engaging and insightful, with a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the nuances of the game. Her articles are known for their depth of analysis, and she is often sought after for her strong opinions on the sport. Unnati has a unique ability to break down complex ideas and make them accessible to a wide audience, which has helped her build a large following of readers.