IPL: Sanju Samson’s Shocking Request to Leave Rajasthan Royals Shakes Up the Franchise

The captain is said to have told the management that he wanted to leave, which put the organization in a tricky spot: they had to choose between letting their best player go or convincing him to stay before a big auction deadline.

New Delhi, India—August 8, 2025: Sanju Samson, the long-time captain and face of the Rajasthan Royals, has reportedly told the team that he wants to be released before the IPL 2026 auction. This news has sent shockwaves across the Indian Premier League (IPL). ESPNcricinfo was the first to break the news, which could mean the end of a ten-year relationship that has made Samson a famous person in Jaipur.

It looks like the request was made immediately after the end of a tough IPL 2025 season, but the Royals management hasn’t said anything yet. Manoj Badale, the main owner, has not said anything, therefore the final, huge choice is up to him and head coach Rahul Dravid. The club is now at a crossroads: they may either agree to a trade (a player swap or a cash deal) or let him go back into the auction pool. However, according to IPL rules, they have the last word.

Samson’s past with the Royals is quite personal. He joined the team for the first time in 2013, came back in 2018, and was made captain in 2021. The team had one of its best runs under his leadership, making it to the finals in 2022 for the first time since winning the title in 2008. But the trip since then has not been smooth. Before the big auction in 2025, the team surprisingly let go of two of its best players from the 2022 season, Jos Buttler and Yuzvendra Chahal. This left many fans confused.

The Royals had a terrible IPL 2025 season, finishing ninth with only four wins. Samson, who was kept for a huge ₹18 crore along with five other key players, had a miserable season because he could only play in nine of the 14 matches because of a side strain. Young player Riyan Parag took over as captain in his place.

This request comes at a time when Samson is busy getting ready for his patriotic duty. He is now training at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru and is largely expected to be selected for the Asia Cup, which begins in September. He will also be spotted playing in the Kerala Cricket League before that.

The Rajasthan Royals have about two months to determine what to do with their long-time skipper before the IPL retention deadline in November. Will they struggle to maintain their indigenous star, or will Samson be the biggest name to be up for auction in IPL 2026?