Will Sanju Samson Part Ways With Rajasthan Royals? The Franchise Clears Air On IPL 2026 Trade Window Rumour

In a crucial development that puts an end to swirling speculation, the Rajasthan Royals (RR) have made it crystal clear—Sanju Samson is staying, and he will lead the team in the 2026 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

The official word, reported by The Times of India, confirms that no trades involving Samson are on the table, nor is there any leadership change being contemplated. It’s a massive vote of confidence in a player who has become the heartbeat of the Royals, even amid injuries, form fluctuations, and intense scrutiny.

Setting the Record Straight: Samson Is Staying

Ever since the conclusion of a forgettable IPL 2025 campaign for Rajasthan Royals, the grapevine was buzzing with rumors. There were whispers of a Sanju Samson trade to Chennai Super Kings (CSK), especially as CSK were believed to be on the lookout for a long-term successor to MS Dhoni. With Samson’s south Indian roots and CSK’s captaincy transition timeline aligning, the gossip gained traction.

But now, the fog has lifted.

“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,”
– A Rajasthan Royals source, quoted by TOI.

This official confirmation shuts the door on any near-future departure and suggests that RR is doubling down on Samson—not just as a player, but as a long-term leader.

IPL 2025: A Season to Forget for Samson and RR

To fully grasp the significance of this announcement, one needs to rewind to the disastrous IPL 2025 season—a campaign where nothing went right for Rajasthan Royals.

Samson’s Injury Woes:

Fractured right index finger in February 2025 required immediate surgery.
Followed by a side strain, further limiting his availability.

The setbacks meant Samson played only 9 of the 14 league matches, scoring 285 runs at a strike rate of 140.39—a decent return, but not nearly enough to rescue a struggling side.

RR’s Collective Collapse:

Finished 9th on the table—their worst finish in recent years.
Just 4 wins in 14 matches.
Lost momentum early and never recovered.

The leadership baton passed temporarily to Riyan Parag, whose spirited efforts couldn’t reverse the downward spiral. But Parag’s interim captaincy added fuel to the speculation that RR might be preparing for a change in leadership. Combine that with CSK’s rumored interest, and the noise became deafening.

Why the Rumors Spread Like Wildfire

Sanju Samson’s case is unique.

He is hugely talented, often described as a “generational talent” by cricket pundits.
But he’s also enigmatic—capable of brilliance and inconsistency in equal measure.
His journey with RR has seen highs (playoff finishes) and deep lows (bottom-of-the-table exits).

Add to that:

A poor 2025 season.
Injury-induced absences.
A young deputy captain in waiting.
CSK’s post-Dhoni vacuum.
And a passionate fanbase constantly debating leadership.

It was the perfect storm for speculation to grow—and fast.

RR’s Vote of Confidence: What It Means

The franchise’s decision to retain and back Sanju Samson as captain for IPL 2026 says more than just “we’re not trading him.” It signals:

🧠 Strategic Continuity: RR doesn’t want knee-jerk reactions after one bad season. They’re choosing stability over sensationalism.
💛 Emotional Investment: Sanju is not just a player; he is the face of the franchise. From captaining to being RR’s leading run-scorer over the years, he embodies the Royals’ identity.
🛠️ Long-term Rebuild: Instead of starting from scratch, RR will likely retool the squad around their skipper—bringing in support, strengthening weak areas, and focusing on fitness and form.

Sanju Samson: The Cricketer, The Captain, The Enigma

Let’s look deeper into why RR continue to stand by their captain.

Batting Brilliance:

Over 4000 IPL runs.
Career SR hovering around 135+.
Multiple centuries.
Known for match-winning knocks under pressure.

When fit and in rhythm, Sanju is one of the most dangerous top-order batters in T20 cricket. His effortless six-hitting and quick scoring ability set the tone for RR’s aggressive brand.

Leadership Journey:

Took over RR captaincy in 2021.
Has had mixed results, but has grown in stature.
Backed young Indian talents like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, and Kuldeep Sen.

While not as vocal as some captains, Sanju’s calm, composed style reflects trust in process and people.

Captaincy Under the Microscope: A Mixed Report Card

Here’s how Sanju Samson has fared as RR captain since 2021:

Season	Position	Wins	Key Highlights
2021	7th	5	Transition year, no foreign core
2022	2nd	9	Finals run, runners-up
2023	5th	7	Missed playoffs narrowly
2024	4th	8	Qualified, lost in Eliminator
2025	9th	4	Injury-hit, leadership crisis

The trend shows that while 2025 was a setback, Samson has led RR to multiple competitive seasons and a final appearance in 2022.

Trade Windows and Leadership Market: What RR Avoided

By choosing not to trade Samson, RR avoided several potential pitfalls:

❌ Leadership Vacuum: No clear successor exists yet. Parag is promising, but untested over a full season.
❌ CSK Speculation: A Samson trade to CSK would’ve been PR chaos—and possibly a strategic blunder.
❌ Fan Fallout: Samson has a devoted fan following. A sudden trade could’ve triggered fan backlash.

What’s Next for Rajasthan Royals?

Squad Rebuild Priorities for 2026:

✅ Solidify the middle-order: Too much dependence on top 3.
✅ Bring in pace depth: Post-Trent Boult era needs new match-winners.
✅ Back domestic talents: Continue investing in young Indian players.
✅ Focus on fitness: Samson’s injury was a huge blow. A fitter squad is critical.

Retentions Likely:

Sanju Samson (c)
Yashasvi Jaiswal
Riyan Parag
Dhruv Jurel
Shimron Hetmyer (foreign pick)
Kuldeep Sen or Navdeep Saini

Expect RR to hit the 2026 mini-auction with clear intent and a sharpened scouting team.

Expert Opinions: Backing the Move

🗣️ Aakash Chopra: “You don’t throw away your captain after one bad season. RR did well to back Samson. He’s matured a lot.”
🗣️ Harsha Bhogle: “Sanju has had a difficult year, but he’s a match-winner. Rajasthan needs a strong Indian core. He’s that pillar.”
🗣️ Graeme Smith (former RR player): “Leadership is tested in tough years. If RR can build around him, they can bounce back.”

RR’s Loyalty May Be Their Biggest Strength

In the world of T20 leagues, where franchises often cut ties quickly with underperforming stars, Rajasthan Royals’ decision to retain and reaffirm Sanju Samson’s captaincy stands out.

It reflects faith over frustration, and patience over panic.

2025 might’ve been a year to forget, but with a full recovery, renewed motivation, and squad revamp, 2026 could be the redemption arc for both Samson and RR.

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