Sanju Samson could lose Rajasthan Royals captaincy after Rahul Dravid’s exit, raising questions about his future in IPL 2026. (Image Credit: Prashat Khabar)
Rajasthan Royals (RR) skipper Sanju Samson might be at a turning point in his career following the team's underwhelming IPL 2025 season and recent exit of coach Rahul Dravid, reports say. There have been reports of Samson, a die-hard RR veteran, asking to be traded before the IPL 2026 mini-auction.
The Royals had a dismal season in IPL 2025, finishing ninth with four wins from 14 matches. Samson, who captained the team, could not provide consistency with bat and with captaincy. Injuries also hindered his potential to lead the team on the field. The underperformance of the franchise overall has incited rumors about a leadership shake-up before the next season.
Samson is said to be interested in pursuing alternatives with other franchises, as per Revsportz. Talks are said to have been held with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for the possible exchange of Samson with players such as Shivam Dube or Ravindra Jadeja, although the offer was declined. This has kindled rumors surrounding whether the days of RR captaincy for Samson are numbered.
Rahul Dravid's resignation as head coach adds another layer of uncertainty. There have been reports that Samson's frustrations were not only because of Dravid, as the two had a professional relationship as common in a coach-captain combination. But the loss of a veteran guide like Dravid at a turning point makes the captain's role more vulnerable. A recent Cricbuzz report highlighted that the duo appeared to be syncing well toward the end of the season, raising questions about the timing of Dravid’s exit.
Rajasthan Royals currently have three strong candidates for captaincy at their disposal: Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Riyan Parag. Samson is still a prime contender given his experience and background with the franchise, but his request for release has muddied the waters. Franchise management will most likely consider performance, leadership abilities, and team strategy for the long term before making a decision on the captaincy for the 2026 mini-auction.
With IPL 2026 on the horizon, RR is confronted with pivotal decisions about its leadership and player retention plan. The possibility of losing a skipper in Samson, along with Dravid's departure, is a massive blow to the Royals, who will have to restore faith and stability in the team. Fans and pundits alike will watch closely for franchise announcements in the next few weeks, as crucial decisions will determine the Royals' direction in the next season.
