Sanju Samson Requests Release from Rajasthan Royals Ahead of IPL 2026 Auction

Rajasthan Royals (RR) captain Sanju Samson has formally asked the franchise to release him ahead of the IPL 2026 auction, ESPNcricinfo has learned. Samson reportedly communicated his desire to move on immediately after the conclusion of IPL 2025, but the franchise has yet to give a definitive response.

The Royals held their end-of-season review meetings in June, but the door remains open for discussions, with the franchise still considering the possibility of convincing Samson to stay. When contacted, lead owner Manoj Badale declined to comment, indicating that any final decision will be taken in coordination with head coach Rahul Dravid.

If RR decide to part ways with their long-time captain, they will have two options: trade him to another franchise or release him into the auction pool. IPL contract rules give franchises the ultimate authority in such matters. In the case of a trade, RR could opt for either a player swap or an all-cash deal.

A Pillar of the Royals Setup

Samson, 30, has been a prominent figure in the Royals setup since first joining the franchise in 2013. After a two-season stint with Delhi Daredevils (2016–2017), he returned to RR in 2018 and was appointed captain in 2021. He led the team to the final in 2022, their first since winning the inaugural IPL in 2008.

Despite his influence and leadership, RR faced turbulence ahead of the 2025 season, releasing star players Jos Buttler and Yuzvendra Chahal, the Orange and Purple Cap winners of IPL 2022, respectively.

In the IPL 2025 season, Samson was limited to just nine matches due to a side strain, with Riyan Parag stepping in as stand-in captain. RR finished ninth on the points table, winning only four of their 14 matches.

Samson was one of six players retained ahead of the 2025 mega auction for a fee of INR 18 crore (approx. USD 2.14 million at the time). The others were Yashasvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Sandeep Sharma, and Shimron Hetmyer.

What’s Next for Samson?

Samson is currently undergoing a routine training programme at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, designed for a pool of players identified by national selectors. He is expected to be part of India’s squad for the Asia Cup, which begins September 9 in the UAE.

Before that, he will take part in the Kerala Cricket League, having been signed by the Kochi Blue Tigers for a record INR 26.8 lakh, making him the most expensive player in the tournament's history.

With the IPL retention deadline set for November, Rajasthan Royals have two more months to make a final call on their captain’s future.