Viral dugout moment raises eyebrows as Samson avoids team huddle before Super Over; fans speculate leadership tension at Rajasthan Royals
April 18, 2025 | The high-voltage IPL 2025 clash between Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Capitals may have ended with a dramatic Super Over, but it’s a moment off the field that has set social media abuzz. A now-viral video clip shows Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson walking past a strategy huddle involving head coach Rahul Dravid and other team members — without joining in — moments before the Super Over.
Also Read: Hardik Pandya Lauds Bowlers, Will Jacks as MI Beat SRH by 4 Wickets in IPL Thriller
Sanju Samson's body language tells a 1000 word's of his painful situation in this RR team.
— AntiBazballian ™ 🏏 (@rs_3702) April 17, 2025
Rahul Dravid you have blood on your hand's for destroying this beautiful side to pieces 😔😔💔💔💔 pic.twitter.com/t2I5pzaujR
In the video from the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Dravid is seen deep in discussion with support staff and players to decide the batting lineup. A teammate gestures to Samson to join the group, but the captain waves his hand in refusal and continues pacing around the dugout.
Also Read: 🏆 WWE Champions Ahead of WrestleMania 41: Who’s Defending What in Las Vegas?
I think the management don't want the captains thought they're only deciding how to serve every think in plate for Riyan and in return Riyan throws the plate everytime always takes things for granted.
— Raj Vardhan Singh (@IAm_RajVardhan) April 17, 2025
It's clear what's happening in the team. I am with Sanju Samson pic.twitter.com/NPZqlP3qGX
— Mandakini (@mandakini_) April 17, 2025
This moment, caught live and now circulating widely on X (formerly Twitter), has triggered intense speculation among fans — with some fearing a rift between Samson and Dravid, while others interpreted the gesture as frustration or isolation during a crucial juncture of the match.
Also Read: Neeraj Chopra Kicks Off 2025 Athletics Season with Win at Potch Invitational Meet
“His body language says a thousand words,” wrote one fan.
“RR might sack him as captain soon,” speculated another.
“Come to CSK, Sanju,” urged a third user, linking the Kerala batter to a leadership future elsewhere.
🏏 What Happened in the Match?
Delhi Capitals, batting first, posted 189/4 thanks to a late flourish from Axar Patel (34 off 14) and *Tristan Stubbs (34 off 18)**. Rajasthan Royals, powered by fifties from Nitish Rana and Yashasvi Jaiswal, nearly chased it down, but Mitchell Starc’s death-over brilliance (defending 9 runs) dragged the game into a Super Over.
In the tie-breaker, Rajasthan managed just 11/2, suffering two run-outs. KL Rahul and Stubbs then polished off the chase in just 4 balls, propelling DC to the top of the points table with 5 wins in 6 games.
🔍 What This Means for RR and Samson
Rajasthan Royals, known for backing young talent and stable leadership, now face an unwanted spotlight on their team dynamics and captain-coach chemistry. Sanju Samson, who has been RR’s skipper since 2021, was earlier praised for his calm demeanor and growth as a leader. But this isolated incident has raised questions about communication breakdown or internal tension.
Rahul Dravid, who joined Rajasthan Royals’ support staff in a special mentorship role for IPL 2025, is known for his disciplined and player-first approach — making this visible disconnect all the more surprising.
While there’s no official statement from the franchise yet, this story is likely to stay in the headlines until either party addresses the speculation.
🏷️ Tags:
Sanju Samson Rahul Dravid rift, Rajasthan Royals team news, IPL 2025 dugout video, Sanju Samson captaincy debate, RR Super Over loss, Dravid Samson IPL 2025, RR vs DC controversy, Sanju Samson CSK rumours, IPL 2025 player behaviour, RR team chemistry