Sanju Samson Leaving Rajasthan Royals Before IPL 2026 has become one of the biggest headlines in cricket right now. The Rajasthan Royals (RR) captain has told the franchise that he wants to be released before the upcoming IPL 2026 auction. According to ESPNcricinfo, Samson informed the RR management about his decision right after IPL 2025 ended.
The Royals held their season review meetings in June 2025, but they have not yet given Samson a final answer. Even with Sanju Samson Leaving Rajasthan Royals Before IPL 2026 being a possibility, there’s still a chance for the team to convince him to stay. When asked about the situation, RR’s lead owner Manoj Badale gave no comment. The final decision will be taken by Badale along with head coach Rahul Dravid.
If the franchise decides on Sanju Samson Leaving Rajasthan Royals Before IPL 2026, they could trade him to another team or send him into the auction. In the case of a trade, it might be a player swap or an all-cash deal. Under IPL rules, the final say in such cases always belongs to the franchise management.
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Samson’s Journey with Rajasthan Royals
Sanju Samson Leaving Rajasthan Royals Before IPL 2026 would mark the end of a long and eventful journey. Samson, now 30 years old, first played for RR from IPL 2013 to 2015. After spending two seasons with Delhi Daredevils, he returned to RR in 2018. In 2021, he became captain and, in 2022, led the team to the IPL final for the first time since their 2008 title win.
That 2022 season saw Jos Buttler win the Orange Cap and Yuzvendra Chahal win the Purple Cap. However, both were released before the 2025 mega auction, a move that surprised many. With Sanju Samson Leaving Rajasthan Royals Before IPL 2026 now in discussion, the decision could be another big turning point for the team.
Before IPL 2025, RR retained six players, including Samson, at INR 18 crore (about $2.14 million). The others were Yashasvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Sandeep Sharma, and Shimron Hetmyer. But the season went poorly. Samson played only nine matches due to a side strain, with Riyan Parag stepping in as captain. RR finished ninth, with just four wins, which could be one of the reasons behind Sanju Samson Leaving Rajasthan Royals Before IPL 2026.
What Lies Ahead for Samson
Currently, Samson is training at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru as part of a program for players shortlisted by national selectors. Sanju Samson Leaving Rajasthan Royals Before IPL 2026 does not affect his national prospects, and he is likely to be selected for the Asia Cup starting September 9 in the UAE.
Before the Asia Cup, Samson will also play in the Kerala Cricket League, where he was picked by Kochi Blue Tigers for INR 26.8 lakh,
the highest-ever bid in the tournament. This record deal has made Sanju Samson Leaving Rajasthan Royals Before IPL 2026 even more talked about among fans and cricket experts.
The Rajasthan Royals have until November, the IPL retention deadline, to make a final call. If they confirm Sanju Samson Leaving Rajasthan Royals Before IPL 2026, they will have to find a new captain and perhaps even rebuild their squad. Convincing him to stay would require strong plans for the future after their poor 2025 season.
If he enters the auction, Sanju Samson Leaving Rajasthan Royals Before IPL 2026 could trigger a bidding war. Many franchises are expected to show interest in him, not only for his batting skills but also for his leadership experience. This could lead to him fetching a price even higher than his last retention value.
The story of Sanju Samson Leaving Rajasthan Royals Before IPL 2026 is more than just a transfer rumour, it’s about a franchise’s identity, a captain’s loyalty, and the changing dynamics of the IPL. Whether he stays or leaves, Samson’s next move will be one of the most closely followed developments ahead of IPL 2026.
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