Sanju Samson’s departure from the Rajasthan Royals (RR) seems inevitable. Almost everyone is convinced that Samson will leave his franchise for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Since the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 trade window is open until the week before the 2026 mini-auction, we don’t know if and when the news will be proven correct or wrong.
Time for RR to move on from Samson?
Samson has had mixed results, both as captain and player. In the last 5 seasons, RR made the IPL 2022 final and playoffs in 2024. However, they have also finished 9th and 7th. With the bat, he was off-colour last season, albeit dealing with his injuries. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Riyan Parag handily outperformed him.
It kind of makes sense that RR could think about moving on from the 30-year-old who has never really fulfilled his true potential. Jaiswal or Parag could easily take over as captain, and Vaibhav Suryavanshi seems like one who’s meant to stay.
Fascinatingly, as we hear that Samson might leave RR, we also hear that a CSK player wants to part ways as well. Ravichandran Ashwin reportedly wants to return to the auction table for IPL 2026. This creates a very interesting scenario where both can be swapped.
Ashwin: RR captain for IPL 2026?
Ashwin played at RR from IPL 2022 to 2024 but was released before the last auction. Could he return there? Well, according to Aakash Chopra, not only can he return, but Ashwin can even replace Samson as RR captain.
“RR’s captain might come to CSK, although he might not become the captain, as Ruturaj Gaikwad might remain the captain, but Ashwin could go to Rajasthan and become their captain because they need a captain,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel.
“I was thinking who could become Rajasthan’s captain if Sanju leaves. Dhruv Jurel, not ready and very, very young. Yashasvi Jaiswal, of course, has captaincy aspirations, but I don’t think they will invest in him now. Riyan Parag was okay-okay last season. So, it may just work out beautifully.”
The perspective’s surely unique. Ashwin does have some leadership experience. He did captain the Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) for two seasons. Chopra also thinks that bringing Ashwin could solve the gaping spinner hole RR has.
“Sanju in yellow, so the keeping future is ready. Then MS Dhoni can do whatever he feels like. RR needs an off-spinner as well because (Wanindu) Hasaranga and (Maheesh) Theekshana haven’t done the job that much. So, they would get that and a captain, and everything looks alright. I feel that can happen,” he added.
