Overview:
With RR finishing ninth in the points table, he was heartbroken and expressed his desire to leave the franchise, following the team's defeat to the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in Kolkata.
Rajasthan Royals (RR) owner Manoj Badale has opened up on the trade of Sanju Samson to Chennai Super Kings ahead of the IPL 2026. According to him, the right-handed batter informed the team management about his intentions midway through IPL 2025. Samson will play for CSK, while RR got Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran in exchange.
Samson missed several matches due to injuries in the previous season and managed just one fifty from nine innings. With RR finishing ninth in the points table, he was heartbroken and expressed his desire to leave the franchise, following the team’s defeat to the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in Kolkata.
“He wanted to move on and talked about it in Kolkata towards the end of the season. He is an honest guy and was personally and emotionally drained. He cares a lot about RR, and we had our worst season in 18 years, and it took a toll on him. He needed a new team to refresh,” Badale revealed.
Badale hailed Sanju for his commitment over the years and recalled making him captain in 2021.
“It felt different when he requested, as when he says something, he means it. He has been an extraordinary servant of the franchise. It is not about his batting or sixes; it is about everything he has given to the team. Making him a captain was a high-risk move, but he put everything into the role. The fans and the team are emotional, having grown under Sanju. I feel emotional,” he added.
In 11 seasons with RR, Samson scored 4,027 runs and accumulated the career best of 531 runs in 2024, with the franchise making it to the final in 2022 after 14 years. The 31-year-old has a massive following in Chennai, and he will receive support when he dons the yellow jersey in the upcoming season.