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Sanju Samson’s pink chapter with Rajasthan Royals might be nearing its final page. Fresh buzz from Cricbuzz says the franchise isn’t just “considering options” — they’re actively ringing up rival IPL teams to see who’s willing to take their captain off their hands. And this isn’t a junior exec making cold calls; lead owner Manoj Badale himself is reportedly in the thick of negotiations.
In true trade-talk drama, RR haven’t been shy about asking for big names in return. When Chennai Super Kings came up in conversation, the Royals apparently floated the idea of swapping Samson for either Ravindra Jadeja or Ruturaj Gaikwad. That, unsurprisingly, was a non-starter for CSK, who aren’t about to hand over two of their crown jewels. Even Shivam Dube’s name was thrown in at some point, but Chennai still said “no deal.”
A swap with CSK now looks as likely as a snowstorm in Jaipur, but Samson isn’t short of admirers. Multiple franchises are believed to be in talks, and a pre-auction deal could easily swoop in before the bidding paddles come out. The twist? There’s no guarantee Samson will even enter the auction — it all hinges on whether a trade materialises.
Samson, who’s been with RR for years and led them in recent seasons, has reportedly asked for a move to take his career “in a new direction.” Rumours of friction with management have swirled before, including over the decision to release Jos Buttler while retaining Shimron Hetmyer — something Samson once admitted he never quite got over.
Still, he’s kept things classy in public, praising the team setup and young talents like Vaibhav Suryavanshi. Whether he stays or goes, one thing’s certain — his next step will be headline material this IPL off-season.
**This news was published on Times of India on 14th August, 2025.
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