Social media has been abuzz by rumours of Sanju Samson parting ways with the Rajasthan Royals ahead of IPL 2026. With only two weeks having passed since IPL 2025 got done, Samson has found himself in the news. Rumours suggested that he is likely to join the Chennai Super Kings (CSK).
The keeper-batter began his IPL career with the Royals in 2013 and stayed with the franchise until 2015 before moving to the Delhi Capitals (formerly Delhi Daredevils), where he spent a couple of seasons. The Kerala-born cricketer returned to the Royals in 2018 and ascended to the captaincy position in 2021. With Royals failing to reach the playoffs in IPL 2025 and Samson missing plenty of games due to injury-related issues, reports have been floating he could be released by the franchise.
There is no official confirmation from either the Royals or Super Kings yet.
Watch some of the reactions of the netizens:
Sanju Samson's record as captain in IPL
Having succeeded Steve Smith as captain in the 2021 edition after the Royals finished at the bottom of the points table. The 2022 edition saw the inaugural IPL champions reach the final for the first time in 14 years but lost to the Gujarat Titans. The franchise missed out on a playoff spot in 2023 and lost the Qualifier 2 match in 2024 to the SunRisers Hyderabad.
The 30-year-old played the first three games of IPL 2025 as an impact player and suffered a hip injury against the Delhi Capitals to sit out for a few matches. With the Royals ending the season in the ninth spot, Samson had aggregated 285 runs in nine matches at 35.62.
