Sanju Samson is set to remain with the Rajasthan Royals (RR) for the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) season, dismissing rumors of a potential move to the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) or Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Recent reports confirm that RR has no intention of trading Samson or any other player, solidifying his position as an integral part of the team and its undisputed captain.

Speculation about Samson's departure arose after an underwhelming IPL 2025 season, where he faced injury setbacks and was temporarily replaced by Riyan Parag as captain. He only managed to play nine matches, scoring 285 runs with one half-century, averaging 35.82. This, coupled with a social media post liked by his agent hinting at a possible move to CSK, fueled the rumors.

However, RR has firmly put an end to these speculations. A source within the franchise stated that Samson is a crucial part of the team's setup and remains the captain. This was further reinforced when RR's Head of International Player Development, Siddhartha Lahiri, met with Samson, posting a photo online with the caption "Lunch with the skipper is always great fun".

Despite the reassurance, Samson's absence in the initial matches of IPL 2025 due to a finger injury sustained during a T20I match against England raised concerns. He underwent surgery and is yet to be cleared for wicketkeeping duties by the BCCI. Riyan Parag is expected to lead the team in Samson's absence for the first three games.

Sanju Samson has been a consistent performer in the IPL, amassing over 4,000 runs with three centuries. He has been part of the Rajasthan Royals since 2013 and has captained the team since 2021. In 2022, he led the Royals to the IPL final. While the team finished ninth in the IPL 2025 season, the franchise seems committed to building around Samson.

The decision to retain Samson underscores RR's faith in his leadership and batting abilities. The team seems to be focused on nurturing young talent around him, as evidenced by Samson's praise for players like Vaibhav Suryavanshi. With Rahul Dravid as coach, the Rajasthan Royals aim to bounce back from their disappointing 2025 season and make a strong push for the title in IPL 2026.