What is the biggest challenge for a player in the IPL? Is it the form, or winning matches for the team? It could be one of the two for most, but not really for Rajasthan Royals skipper Sanju Samson. The talented batter though, has his own set of problems, that he has to deal with in the IPL, and that is letting some players go.
Sanju Samson Opens up on Bond with Jos Buttler
Recently, Sanju Samson opened up on how letting go England keeper Jos Buttler was such a difficult decision, for him personally, and not just for the team. Sanju opened up on how he had harboured a good friendship with the Englishman, who was once his vice-captain at RR.
“The IPL gives you the opportunity to lead a team and play at the highest level, and it also allows you to build close friendships,” Samson told JioHotstar. “Jos Buttler is one of my closest friends. We played together for seven years. During this time, our batting partnership time itself is so long that we got to know each other so well.
Spoke to Him at IND vs ENG Series
“He has been like an elder brother to me. Whenever I had a doubt, I would talk to him. When I became captain [in 2021], he was my vice-captain and helped me become a good captain.” Buttler was there in RR from 2018 to 2024 and in 83 matches, scored 3055 for the team. Now, finally he has moved to GT.
Sanju Wants IPL Rule to Change
Sanju further elaborated, that it was tough to let Buttler go, and told the latter the same during the IND vs ENG T20I series recently. “Letting him go has been one of the most challenging decisions for me. During the England series, I told him over dinner that I was still not over it.
“If I could change one thing in the IPL, I would change the rule of releasing players every three years. While it has its positives, on a personal level, you lose that connect, that relation you built over years. He was a part of the family. What more can I say?”
