November 5, 2024: Rahul Dravid, the head coach of Rajasthan Royals, explained the rationale behind the franchise’s decision to retain Sanju Samson as their number one pick for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. The Royals, ahead of the mega auction at the end of this month, announced their retention list, with Samson being the key player to stay in the squad, alongside other important team members.
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Dravid stated retaining Samson was a “no-brainer” for the franchise and asserted that the 29-year-old will continue to lead the side in the future as well.
“Sanju Samson is our batsman, wicketkeeper and captain. He has been the captain of this team for many years. So, it was a no-brainer for us to retain him as he will be our captain in the future too. He was a top retainer pick for us, and he was very involved in our decision process as well,” Dravid said on IPL Retention Special.
Dravid also highlighted that Samson’s involvement in the retention decision-making process was important, demonstrating the franchise’s inclusive approach when it comes to building the team.
Sanju Samson, entering his 11th season with Rajasthan Royals, has proven to be one of the franchise’s most consistent performers. As captain, he led the team to the playoffs twice in the last four seasons, with the standout achievement being the runner-up finish in IPL 2022.
Samson’s batting has been crucial for the Royals. He has accumulated 1,835 runs in 60 innings at an impressive strike rate of 147.59. His consistency in the top-order makes him one of the franchise’s top three run-scorers every season since 2021.
Dravid confirmed that Rajasthan Royals made a strategic decision to retain six players for the upcoming season, including Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, Riyan Parag, Shimron Hetmyer, and Sandeep Sharma.
The decision to retain this core group of players was based on the franchise’s trust in their talent and the desire to build continuity within the squad. Dravid expressed confidence in the potential of these players, and the decision reflects a commitment to long-term development.
Retaining six players gives the franchise stability, according to Dravid. While the Royals could only retain six, Dravid stated that if possible, they would have retained more players. The goal was to establish a strong foundation, ensuring the team retains key players in crucial areas.
Rajasthan Royals’ decision to retain Sanju Samson as their captain and key player ahead of IPL 2025 reflects a carefully considered strategy focused on stability, leadership, and youth development. With Samson’s leadership, batting consistency, and wicketkeeping skills, the Royals are setting themselves up for another competitive IPL season. By keeping a core group of talented and experienced players, the franchise aims to build on the success of recent seasons, especially their impressive IPL 2022 campaign. With a solid foundation in place, the Royals are now poised to make the most of the mega auction to complete their squad for the upcoming season.
