KKR stun RR! Refuse to trade ‘Next Shubman Gill’ Angkrish Raghuvanshi for Sanju Samson
Published - 16 Aug 2025, 10:01 PM | Updated - 16 Aug 2025, 10:02 PM
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Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are in no mood to trade their young batting sensation Angkrish Raghuvanshi for Rajasthan Royals (RR) skipper Sanju Samson, as per reports.
The three-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champions, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), rate Angkrish Raghuvanshi very highly and put him in the same bracket as Shubman Gill.
Rajasthan Royals in talks with Kolkata Knight Riders for Sanju Samson trade with Angkrish Raghuvanshi
The Rajasthan Royals skipper, Sanju Samson, is on his way out of the franchise due to issues with the Rahul Dravid-led team management.
RR have already had talks with several franchises, including Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), as per media reports.
At first, it looked like Samson would be moving to CSK, but that deal didn't materialise as RR wanted Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shivam Dube, or Ravindra Jadeja in exchange.
Then, the discussions between RR and KKR got underway, and The Telegraph reported that they are in the final-stage talks regarding the Sanju Samson trade. It was mentioned in the report that Angkrish Raghuvanshi or Ramandeep Singh could be exchanged for Sanju Samson.
However, according to a RevSportz journalist, Subhayan Chakraborty, the KKR franchise sees the next Shubman Gill in Angkrish Raghuvanshi, and they don't want to make a blunder by releasing him like they did with the India Test skipper.
"Angkrish Raghuvanshi's name came up, but Angkrish Raghuvanshi..., KKR rate Angkrish Raghuvanshi very highly. They rate him in the same bracket as Shubman Gill," the journalist stated. "And they know that they made one of the biggest blunders in releasing Shubman Gill, when they released him in the past. So, for Angkrish Raghuvanshi, they don't want to do that."
KKR interested in trading Ramandeep Singh
The journalist added that the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are interested in trading Ramandeep Singh to the Rajasthan Royals (RR) for Sanju Samson. He also mentioned that Nitish Rana could return to KKR after being released by RR.
"Ramandeep is the name that is doing the rounds. And he is someone whom KKR might be interested in trading. Because, again, he comes to bat at number 7, number 8. He is a gun player. Superb fielder," the journalist said.
"One of the best fielders in the IPL. But for Sanju Samson, plus a bit of cash, with a bit of cash, you can trade a Ramandeep Singh and it's a certainty. But Rajasthan Royals also need someone who can come up at number 6, number 7. Because they are planning to make Dhruv Jurel play top of the order.
"Along with Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel will form that middle order. I don't think they will retain Nitish Rana. So, a Nitish Rana homecoming is also possible for KKR. Not in the trade, but in the auction window, if they are willing to buy him."
Also Read: Sanju Samson’s exit triggers Rajasthan Royals exodus, Yashasvi Jaiswal planned to leave but…
Sanju Samson to enter IPL 2026 auction?
The Kerala wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson is the most capped player in history for the Rajasthan Royals with 155 matches under his belt. He has scored 3002 runs for RR at an average of 31.96 and a strike rate of 140.53.
His journey with the Royals is set to end ahead of IPL 2026, but it has not yet been decided where he will end up. If the trade talks with KKR don't go ahead, and even if an all-cash deal is not made, Sanju Samson could enter the IPL 2026 auction.
If that happens, KKR will reportedly break their bank to acquire him, and they are ready to release the likes of Venkatesh Iyer, Quinton de Kock, Umran Malik, and Spencer Johnson to free up some funds.
"KKR will bet heavily for him because they will have the purse after releasing the likes of Venkatesh Iyer, perhaps Quinton de Kock, perhaps other bowlers like Spencer Johnson or Umran Malik, whom we have spent a lot of money on," the journalist said.
🚨 KKR–RR Trade Talks
— 𝔸𝕁𝔸𝕐 𝕁𝔸ℕ𝔾𝕀𝔻 (@iamajayjangirr) August 16, 2025
• Sanju Samson trade discussions on
• Angkrish likely to stay
• Ramandeep may be traded (RR need finisher)
• Could be player+cash or all-cash deal
• If not, Samson may enter auction — KKR ready with heavy purse
• NR homecoming possible via auction pic.twitter.com/xylV6JMYt2
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Angkrish Raghuvanshi IPL Sanju Samson Shubman Gill Ramandeep Singh Kolkata Knight Riders Rajasthan Royals Nitish Rana Venkatesh IyerAbout the Author
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