Shamik Chakrabarty, Mumbai
Sanju Samson might lose Rajasthan Royals captaincy irrespective of his future with the franchise, it is learnt. This follows Rahul Dravid’s departure as Royals head coach. The legendary former India captain and coach leaving the franchise was not a case of player power holding sway. It was more of a difference of opinion between him and the Royals management over certain cricketing decisions. As per the press release issued by the franchise, Dravid was offered a different, “broader” role during the post-season review, which he refused.
Dravid’s departure, however, doesn’t make the case stronger for Samson, the current Royals captain. After the wicketkeeper-bastman asked the franchise management to release him following the 2025 IPL, there have been issues between the two parties. According to an insider, the 30-year-old probably has set his heart on playing somewhere else. Sources said, Chennai Super Kings were sounded out for a close-season trade, and exploratory talks took place about a swap between Samson and Shivam Dube or Ravindra Jadeja. CSK flatly rejected it, as they see both Dube and Jadeja as immensely valuable to their plans for the next season. As RevSportz already reported, the five-time IPL champions have now cooled their interest in Samson.
The player has had a long-standing relationship with Royals, having first played for them in 2013. He was appointed captain in 2021 and led the side to the IPL final next year. The franchise retained him for Rs 18 crore at the 2025 mega auction, at the time looking at him as their captain for the “foreseeable future”. Things, though, can change quickly in sport. Samson, now an established player in India’s T20 set-up, is reportedly not convinced about the franchise’s ambition and there seems to be a feeling of disenchantment. All said and done, Royals hold power as regards the cricketer’s IPL future. They can keep him for two more years, or offload him through close-season trading, or send him into the auction. This website reported about the decision resting on Royals’ principal owner Manoj Badale.
He would also take a call on the captaincy issue. Samson played just nine of the Royals’ 14 matches in the last edition of the IPL, as he was nursing a side strain. Riyan Parag stood in as skipper in his absence, with the team finishing ninth, securing only four wins. Sources said Parag’s promotion didn’t have Dravid’s seal of approval.
There’s a school of thought that even if Samson stays put with the franchise, he might not continue as captain, for some bridges have been burned. Within the Royals set-up, Parag has his backers to take over the reins. Another group is in favour of handing over the responsibility to Yashasvi Jaiswal. Franchise people are tight-lipped at the moment, fearful of consequences for any leaks. It is learnt that the management has “come down strongly” on them.
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