‘Riyan Parag the reason behind Sanju Samson’s rumoured exit from Rajasthan Royals,’ claims ex-Indian cricketer

Speculation is mounting over Sanju Samson’s potential departure from Rajasthan Royals ahead of IPL 2026, allegedly driven by internal leadership changes and reported tensions within the squad. Former India cricketer Subramaniam Badrinath reportedly suggested that the decision to hand Riyan Parag the captaincy during the 2025 season may have prompted Samson to request a release. The situation became complex after Samson was initially sidelined due to wicketkeeping restrictions imposed by the National Cricket Academy, leading to Parag stepping in as captain. Although Samson returned briefly to lead the side, a side strain injury forced him out again, allowing Parag to continue as stand-in skipper.

Adding to the uncertainty were reports of tension between head coach Rahul Dravid and Samson, although Dravid publicly denied these claims. Meanwhile, young talents like Vaibhav Suryavanshi—who scored the fastest century by an Indian in the tournament—and opener Yashasvi Jaiswal have impressed, apparently raising doubts about Samson’s role in the future squad.

Amid this turmoil, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have emerged as a potential destination for Samson, potentially viewing him as a long-term successor to MS Dhoni. However, Badrinath has expressed concerns over how Samson would fit into CSK’s existing lineup. He pointed out that Samson typically bats in the top order, while CSK already has established players like Ruturaj Gaikwad, Dewald Brevis, and Mhatre in those roles. He questioned whether CSK would pursue a high-stakes trade similar to Mumbai Indians’ acquisition of Hardik Pandya.

The final decision on Samson’s release is still pending, and Rajasthan Royals face a tough call given the rise of young stars and shifting team dynamics. Samson’s potential move to CSK presents both an opportunity and a dilemma, making his future one of the key talking points ahead of IPL 2026.

‘I want to hit six sixes in an over before I retire’: Sanju Samson

Despite growing speculation around his potential exit from IPL franchise Rajasthan Royals, cricketer Sanju Samson is reportedly gearing up for a return to the Indian national side. With the upcoming Asia Cup set to be played in the T20 format, Samson is likely to secure a spot in the Indian squad.

Meanwhile, the Kerala-born wicketkeeper-batter has recently shared a personal aspiration related to his cricketing journey. Appearing on a show alongside former India international Ravichandran Ashwin, Samson revealed a dream he hopes to fulfil before retiring.

When Ashwin asked him to name one cricketing dream he wished to achieve before hanging up his boots, Samson replied:

"I want to hit six sixes in an over."

The response has since gone viral, with fans and social media users widely discussing the cricketer's bold ambition.

In a lighter moment, Samson also offered insight into the off-field habits of his Rajasthan Royals teammate, Shimron Hetmyer. He recounted:

"If there's a match at 8 PM, he wakes up only by 5 in the evening. He’s often drowsy in team meetings. And yet, he goes out and scores crucial runs, winning matches for the team. So clearly, that too is a way that works."

Reflecting on his own growth, Samson spoke about the transition in mindset he experienced after taking on the responsibility of captaincy.

"Before I became captain, I was just a player who only thought about my own routine—my training, what I needed to do. I used to focus solely on scoring runs and winning matches," he said.

Meanwhile, several national media outlets have reported that Samson has expressed a desire to part ways with Rajasthan Royals. According to a recent report by Cricbuzz, Samson has approached the Rajasthan Royals management, requesting to be either released or traded ahead of the next IPL season. The report also suggests that Rajasthan have since laid out certain terms in response to the request.

As the situation develops, all eyes remain on both the Indian team selection for the Asia Cup and the potential shift in Samson’s IPL career.