Rajasthan Royals may be heading towards a major shake-up as reports emerge that their captain and most capped player Sanju Samson could be on the move. According to a report, the 30 years old wicketkeeper-batter has formally requested the Jaipur-based franchise to either release him or facilitate a trade before the IPL 2026 auctions. In response, the Royals have reportedly reached out to multiple teams to gauge interest in acquiring their star player.
Franchise owner Manoj Badale is believed to have gone a step further by naming specific players from rival teams whom the Royals would be willing to accept in exchange for Sanju Samson. The report also hints at the possibility that Rajasthan may already have reached or is close to reaching an agreement with one of those teams.
Among the proposals floated, Rajasthan is said to have approached Chennai Super Kings with a request for either Ravindra Jadeja or Ruturaj Gaikwad in a direct swap for Sanju Samson. However, the Chennai-based franchise has shown no inclination to part ways with either of those key players. Shivam Dube, the India all-rounder who previously represented Rajasthan Royals, has also been mentioned as a potential target in the negotiations but Chennai is similarly unwilling to release him. In fact, the CSK management is reported to be generally reluctant to let go of any member of their current squad.
Sanju Samson’s legacy with Rajasthan Royals is substantial. Since joining the team, he has featured in 149 IPL matches for the franchise, scoring 4027 runs that include two centuries and 23 half-centuries, making him their all-time leading run-scorer and the only player to cross the 4000-run mark for the side. Retained for ₹18 crore ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction, Sanju Samson has captained the Royals in 67 matches, winning 33 of them, the highest number of wins for any Rajasthan captain.
On the other side of the rumoured swap equation, Ruturaj Gaikwad has become an integral part of the Chennai Super Kings setup. Appointed captain ahead of the IPL 2024 season, Gaikwad has scored 2502 runs in 71 matches and currently sits as the fourth highest run-getter for the franchise.
As talks develop, the future of Rajasthan’s most celebrated player hangs in the balance, with the upcoming IPL 2026 season potentially marking the start of a new chapter for both Sanju Samson and the Royals.
