Not CSK! Shock IPL team goes all-in to steal Sanju Samson from Rajasthan Royals

Not Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have been identified as the “most desperate team" to steal the star wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson from Rajasthan Royals (RR).

Former India National Cricket Team opening batsman Aakash Chopra said that the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) need an Indian wicketkeeper-batsman and possibly a captain, both roles which Sanju Samson can fill.

Also Read: Rajasthan Royals issue big statement on star keeper after Sanju Samson requests his release

SHORTS

View More

Your daily dose of cricket!

Loading...

Sanju Samson requests his release from Rajasthan Royals

Rajasthan Royals (RR) captain Samson has asked for his release from the Rajasthan Royals (RR) due to ‘serious differences’ with the Rajasthan Royals (RR) management.

Several media outlets have reported that Samson is no longer interested in continuing with the Rajasthan Royals (RR) despite being retained by the inaugural IPL champions for INR 18 crore ahead of the 2025 mega auction.

Reportedly, Rajasthan Royals (RR) have already started exploring options to part ways with Sanju Samson via trade. However, RR has not received the players they want in exchange, and they aren’t keen on an all-cash one-way deal.

If they wish, they can release Venkatesh Iyer - Aakash Chopra

Speaking on his official YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra highlighted that the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have Quinton de Kock and Rahmanullah Gurbaz as wicketkeeper-batsmen in the squad and would be desperate to rope in Samson.

Aakash Chopra added that the Kolkata Knight Riders can free up funds by releasing expensive Venkatesh Iyer to spend on Sanju Samson. He said:

"The first name that comes to my mind is not CSK. KKR should be the most desperate team. KKR don't have an Indian wicketkeeper-batter, and that just ties their hands behind their back. Secondly, what's wrong if you get a captain? I am not denying that Ajinkya Rahane has captained well and has scored runs as well.

"However, Ajinkya Rahane as a batter, either he opens or else the batting order has been a bit of a problem. They have a player they can release as well. If they wish, they can release Venkatesh Iyer, free up nearly ₹24 crore, and then they can actually make a difference."

Vaibhav Suryavanshi responsible for Samson's unhappiness?

Aakash Chopra further speculated that the presence of Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Yashasvi Jaiswal as openers might be one of the reasons behind Samson's dissatisfaction, as ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction, the Rajasthan Royals (RR) even released Jos Buttler to make room for the skipper at the top. He said:

"Why would Sanju Samson want to leave? It's interesting because when the last mega auction happened, they let Jos Buttler go, and I felt they let Jos Buttler go because Yashasvi had come and Sanju wanted to open, and Sanju and Rajasthan Royals were really, really thick."

"I felt there would have been a massive input from Sanju in the players they retained or released. However, now it seems it might not have been there. Vaibhav Suryavanshi has come, so two openers are already ready, and you also want to bat Dhruv Jurel up the order. So Sanju wishes to leave. If he is thinking like that, it's possible. These are conjectures. I don't know what's in his and Rajasthan's minds."