Wicketkeeper batter Sanju Samson has been one of the mainstays at the Rajasthan Royals (RR) camp for over a decade.
However, the RR captain has been linked to a move away from the pink city after a lacklustre season in 2025. He was troubled with injuries apart from reports of rift in the dressing room.
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Reportedly, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) had also approached RR for a cash deal to acquire the opener's services, possibly even as a captain. In other news, he was linked to the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to succeed after MS Dhoni.
Nevertheless, the decision-makers at RR appear to be happy with Samson and are on board to continue with him as the skipper of the squad.
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Will Sanju Samson leave RR ahead of the IPL 2026?
In pursuit of their second IPL title, RR has given Samson the authority to lead the side on the field with exciting young talent in the squad. After finishing ninth in 2025, with only four wins to their name, RR are looking for solutions to improve on filling holes in their team.
During a conversation with TOI, an RR source ended the speculations about the 30-year-old leaving and regarded him as their undisputed captain.
"RR have decided not to trade Samson or any of their players for now. Samson is very much a part of the Royals' set-up and the undisputed captain of the team," said the source.
In the 2025 season, Samson suffered a side strain after finger surgery ahead of the IPL.
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He played nine matches and scored 285 runs at a strike rate of 140.39 and an average of 35.62. His only fifty for the season was his highest score of 66 against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Riyan Parag was named as captain of RR in Samson's absence — he scored 393 runs at a strike rate of 166.52 and an average of 32.75. Parag also scored a single fifty, accumulating 95 runs in their 1-run defeat in Kolkata.
A fresh report from Cricbuzz has claimed that Samson wants to exit the Royals ahead of the new IPL 2026 season, although RR are unwilling to let their captain leave for a direct all-cash one-way trade deal.
Several franchises, including CSK, have shown interest in signing the experienced wicket-keeper batter, but none of the offers have been acceptable to RR.
When will IPL 2026 start?
IPL 2026 is scheduled to begin on March 15 and run until May 31, according to dates communicated to franchises earlier. The IPL termed these dates as "windows," but reports suggest they are likely to hold unless exceptional circumstances arise.