New Delhi: Sanju Samson has formally requested Rajasthan Royals to trade or release him ahead of the IPL auction. According to the Cricbuzz report, there are serious differences between the franchise and the wicketkeeper-batter. Sanju has played 149 matches for the Jaipur-based franchise in the Indian Premier League.
“It is a fact that serious differences have cropped up between Sanju Samson and the Royals management – so much so that the designated captain has formally requested to be traded or released into the auction,” the report read.
The report further stated that Samson’s family member has openly said that he no longer wishes to continue with the Royals. Some IPL and international players, who are close to the player, also indicated that his relationship with RR has not exactly been the same.
Samson was retained by RR for Rs 18 crore ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction. He played nine matches for the franchise in the last season and scored 285 runs with the help of one half-century.
The RR captain would have expected the freedom from the franchise to choose his batting position, and his preferred spot is to open the innings. But the opening duo of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Suryavanshi have made it difficult for him to bat in that position.
Samson was first signed by KKR in the 2012 auction, but was unused and was released by them. He then joined RR and made his IPL debut against Punjab Kings (then Kings XI Punjab). He joined the Delhi Capitals after RR was banned for two seasons (2016 and 2017).
RR bought him again at a price of Rs 18 crore at the IPL 2018 auction, and three years later, he was appointed as the captain of the team. Samson smashed a sensational century in his first match as the skipper.
According to IPL rules, once a player is retained or signed through auction, he is bound to play for the franchise for three years, and Samson has committed to the RR for the duration of the ongoing cycle, which runs until the end of 2027.
What’s next for Sanju Samson?
A few franchises have expressed their interest, but none have offered an acceptable trade to the franchise. The Cricbuzz report has stated that the Chennai Super Kings have also expressed their interest, but they are not interested in direct trade. Both MS Dhoni and Ruturaj Gaikwad are in Chennai, and meetings took place between top players and the management, but it is still unclear whether the Samson issue was discussed.