'Sanju Probably Felt That Perhaps...': Robin Uthappa Reflects On Sanju Samson's Potential Exit From Rajasthan Royals Ahead Of IPL 2026; Video

Former India batter Robin Uthappa has weighed in on the ongoing speculation surrounding Sanju Samson’s reported desire to leave Rajasthan Royals (RR) ahead of the next Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Samson, who has been with RR since 2018, is said to be considering a move away from the franchise, and Uthappa believes the decision may be linked to his batting role.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Uthappa explained that the Royals’ current batting setup, with Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, and Riyan Parag occupying the top three, has left Samson primarily batting at number four. While Samson has been opening for India in T20Is, Uthappa noted that the wicketkeeper-batter might be reluctant to continue in a middle-order role in the IPL.

“They have both Yashasvi, who has done really well for them, and Suryavanshi has absolutely smacked it out of the park, and Riyan Parag likes to bat at number three. Where does that leave Sanju Samson? A number four spot. Would I want to bat at number four when I am opening for India? Absolutely not,” Uthappa said. “From his perspective, he probably felt that perhaps that won’t change at RR, and they back their youngsters quite a bit, don’t they?”

Uthappa also pointed to RR’s long-standing culture of investing in young talent, suggesting Samson may have recognised that breaking into the top order would be unlikely in the near future. “That has been the culture there at RR. So, he probably sees it as writing on the wall, and so perhaps, he’s trying to get a little bit ahead of the curve and say, ‘Let me move now so that I can go elsewhere and open the batting and still vie for that position at the top of the order in the Indian team,’” he added.

Since joining the Royals in 2018, Samson has been one of the team’s key performers, amassing 3278 runs including two centuries. However, with RR’s top-order slots seemingly locked, his possible departure could mark the end of a significant chapter for both player and franchise.

'I Will Remove You From The Team...': Sanju Samson Recalls Dressing Room Chat With Gautam Gambhir During A Tough Phase; Video 

Sanju Samson recently opened up about the pivotal encouragement he received from Suryakumar Yadav and Gautam Gambhir during a challenging phase in his career. Speaking on the “Kutti Stories with Ash” podcast hosted by Ravichandran Ashwin, Samson recalled how both men played key roles in boosting his confidence and helping him push forward.

Samson shared that the moment came during a Duleep Trophy game in Andhra, where Suryakumar Yadav was also playing. “Surya came to me and said, ‘Chetta, there is a good opportunity coming for you, we have seven games lined up, and I am going to give you all seven games as an opener.’ Hearing that from the captain was a great feeling,” Samson said. True to his word, he was given the chance, but his start wasn’t ideal, as he scored ducks in both games of a series in Sri Lanka.

The poor run left Samson feeling low, but that’s when Gautam Gambhir stepped in. “I was a bit down in the dressing room. Gauti bhai saw me and asked what happened. I told him I didn’t capitalise on my chances. He just said, ‘So? I will remove you from the team only if you score 21 ducks.’ That kind of confidence from a captain and coach helped me to do what I did later on,” Samson revealed.

His reflections highlight how faith and backing from leadership can shape a player’s mindset. The words of support from Suryakumar and Gambhir not only eased the pressure but also laid the foundation for Samson’s resurgence in form, showing the power of trust and belief in cricket’s competitive environment.