Although the 2026 edition of the IPL remains a long way away now, speculations about which franchise keeper-batter Sanju Samson haven't been put to rest. According to Cricbuzz, the Kerala-born cricketer has wished to leave the Royals as the relationship between him and franchise is not as it was before.
Samson, who has also plied his trade for the Delhi Capitals (then Delhi Daredevils) rejoined the Royals in 2018 after spending two years with the Rajasthan-based franchise. He was appointed as captain after the 2020 edition and has done a decent job for the them, including lifting them to the final in 2022, for the first time since the inaugural season.
As per Cricbuzz, Samson's family has confirmed that he no longer wishes to continue playing for the Royals. As such, Samson reportedly either wants to be traded or released. Some of the earlier reports had also claimed that the 30-year-old will now feature for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK).
Sanju Samson's IPL 2025 season was marred with injuries
Meanwhile, Samson had a largely start-stop IPL season this year as he played only nine out of 14 matches. The elegant right-hander had featured in the first three games of the season as an impact player due to the finger injury sustained during the T20I series against England earlier this year.
Later in the season, the 30-year-old sustained a side strain while batting in a game against the Delhi Capitals. In the nine matches Samson played, he managed 285 runs at 35.63 alongside a strike rate of 140.39 with a solitary fifty.
