Sanju Samson-Venkatesh Iyer mega trade on the cards? KKR scout drops bombshell

There have been discussions around potential player trades despite the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 still being months away. Among the most talked-about names is Sanju Samson, who has captained the Rajasthan Royals (RR) for several seasons, and he could join a different team ahead of the next edition.

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) were seen as favorites to secure Samson. However, the situation took an unexpected twist recently when a Kolkata Knight Riders scout hinted at the franchise’s keen interest in acquiring Samson. This development has added competition to the ongoing trade discussions.

KKR Scout Drops Big Hint on Sanju Samson Move

Kolkata Knight Riders' Head of Scouting, Biju George, sparked speculation after posting a photo with Sanju Samson on Instagram, captioned, "Some memories are special." The post quickly grabbed attention, with fans calling it a teaser for Samson’s move to KKR.

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There has been no official statement from either Samson or the franchise, but the timing of the post has fueled rumors that the Rajasthan Royals skipper might be seen in KKR colors in the 2026 IPL season.

📲| KKR scouting head Biju George via IG:

"Some memories are special." pic.twitter.com/Y1PPnnmg7K

— KnightRidersXtra (@KKR_Xtra) July 10, 2025

Kolkata Knight Riders have faced leadership instability in recent seasons, trying out captains like Ajinkya Rahane, Shreyas Iyer, and Nitish Rana. Sanju Samson could offer long-term captaincy and also strengthen the wicketkeeping role in the team.

Also Read: Mumbai Indians and Lucknow Super Giants hunt down RCB player in IPL Trade Deal

Sanju Samson Began His IPL Journey with the Rajasthan Royals in 2013

Sanju Samson began his IPL journey with the Rajasthan Royals in 2013. After spending a brief period with Delhi Daredevils during RR’s suspension, he returned to the franchise in 2018 and was appointed captain in 2021.

He led the team to the IPL 2022 final, where they were beaten by the Gujarat Titans (GT). However, RR missed out on the playoffs in the 2025 season. Samson was affected by injuries, with Riyan Parag taking over captaincy duties in his absence.

Samson started the season as an Impact Player for the first three games. He was ruled out of five fixtures after suffering an abdominal injury during a match against Delhi Capitals. The batter finished the season with 285 runs at a solid average of 35.62 and a strike rate of 140.39, including one half-century.

IPL Trade Window to Remain Open Until a Week Before the 2026 Auction

The IPL Trade Window opened in late June and will remain active until a week before the 2026 auction, allowing franchises to negotiate player-for-player swaps or all-cash deals.

Sanju Samson was retained by Rajasthan Royals for ₹18 crore ahead of the 2025 mega auction. Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders are reportedly planning to acquire him.

CSK are searching for a successor to MS Dhoni, who is nearing the end of his career. Meanwhile, the Rajasthan Royals have received multiple trade proposals. The franchise recently held a strategic meeting in London, attended by head coach Rahul Dravid, to evaluate their squad and prepare trade plans.

Also read: MS Dhoni's right hand inducted in team India by Gautam Gambhir