A Growing Rift: The Sanju Samson and Rajasthan Royals Story

The world of cricket is often compared to a tight-knit family, but even the strongest bonds can be tested. This is the story of Sanju Samson and the Rajasthan Royals (RR), a relationship that has gone from a foundation of trust to a point of significant tension. Samson, who has been the face of the franchise for a decade, is reportedly looking for a change, with rumors suggesting a trade or release is on the cards.

Sanju Samson has expressed his desire to be released by RR © Sportzpics

The Spark of Discord

The cracks in the relationship began to show after the IPL 2025 season. A disappointing campaign for the Royals, which saw them finish ninth on the points table, combined with an injury to Samson, created a fertile ground for issues to surface. While Samson's injury meant he missed some games, the team's management chose to promote a new and successful opening duo of Yashasvi Jaiswal and the young sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi.

The problem arose when a fit-again Samson was not allowed to reclaim his preferred opening slot, a position he also holds for the Indian team. Instead, he was pushed to bat at number three. This decision, seemingly a cricketing one, is believed to be a major point of friction.

The Formal Request and a Team in Trouble

According to recent reports, the tension has escalated to a new level. Samson has now formally requested the Royals to either trade him or release him into the auction pool. This is a bombshell for the franchise, which has nurtured him into a star player and a leader. Losing a player of his calibre, who has scored over 4000 runs for the team, would be a massive blow.

The Royals now face a difficult choice. Do they hold on to a clearly unhappy player, risking a disruptive presence in the dressing room? Or do they let go of their long-serving captain and search for a replacement? Making matters more complicated, an all-cash deal for a player like Samson, who was retained for ₹18 crore, is a complex prospect, and other franchises have not yet offered a trade that RR deems acceptable.

A New Chapter with CSK?

Amid this uncertainty, the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have shown keen interest. With the legendary M.S. Dhoni expected to step away soon, CSK sees Samson as a potential long-term replacement for the captaincy and wicketkeeper-batsman role. However, trade talks have reportedly stalled as CSK is unwilling to release any of its current players. This means that if Samson were to move to Chennai, it would likely have to be through the auction.

While some reports suggest Samson will stay with the Royals and continue as captain, the growing number of news articles about his desire to leave point to a very real and serious situation. The upcoming IPL season could see one of the league's most enduring relationships come to an end, with Sanju Samson possibly donning a new jersey.